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The FUP Pressures Petrobras for Progress on the Maintenance Shutdown Agreement and Warns of Risks of Changes in the Work Regime Without Negotiation. Understand the Impacts for the Category
On November 25, 2025, the Unique Federation of Oil Workers (FUP) strengthened the demand for Petrobras to advance in negotiations regarding the agreement related to the maintenance shutdowns of operational units. According to information from the Sindipetro NF website, the union entity opposed any attempt by the company to impose changes in the work regime of oil workers without consensus and emphasized that unilateral changes will not be accepted.
Understand What is Being Demanded by FUP from Petrobras
The FUP informed that Petrobras presented a set of initial proposal elements, but the federation believes that there is still not enough formalization to guarantee the rights of workers involved in the maintenance shutdowns.
The union organization also classified as concerning the fact that the company is trying to establish modifications that affect shift, schedule, and compensation without joint negotiation with the category representatives.
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The entity argues that decisions in this area cannot be adopted in isolation by the company, as they directly impact operational safety, activity planning, and the working conditions of the teams.
The FUP’s position was announced after a new round of discussions on the Collective Agreement that regulates extraordinary processes, shifts, and operational routines involving the maintenance shutdowns. In this meeting, the federation emphasized that the maintenance shutdowns are essential activities and require agreed, predictable, and safe rules for all involved, including shift operation teams and administrative workers.
Maintenance Shutdowns and Operational Safety of Petrobras
The maintenance shutdowns play a central role in Petrobras operations. According to the FUP, they represent high-risk processes and require meticulous organization, strategic planning, and strict oversight of Safety, Environment, and Health (SMS). The entity argues that these activities should be recognized as extraordinary and prioritized by management and internal accident prevention committees.
During the meeting with Petrobras, the FUP contested the company’s attempt to establish regulations which, according to the federation, are already at a lower level than what has historically been practiced. One concern raised is the attempt to standardize criteria that may result in losses for units where workers have negotiated more favorable conditions.
Since 2016, the FUP reports that some attempts to relax maintenance shutdowns have been rejected due to worker mobilization, especially when there have been attempts to impose the 200-hour limit for specific shifts. In many locations, the 168-hour limit prevails as the standard for carrying out activities, which the federation considers the minimum base to be preserved.
Changes in the Work Regime Cannot Be Imposed Unilaterally
In addition to the defense for proper regulation of maintenance shutdowns, the FUP reiterated that it will not accept impositions from Petrobras regarding the work regime. The topic involves sensitive issues such as shifts, schedules, hour compensation, and extra duties. For the federation, any alteration in these rules must be widely discussed with the representatives of the workers.
The unilateral stance in negotiation attempts was criticized during the discussions, as the FUP argues that there is no justification for the company to make decisions that directly affect the teams’ routine and operational safety at the units. The federation reaffirmed its willingness to negotiate but demands that a national agreement be formalized to ensure legal and operational security.
Another point emphasized by the federation is the importance of the participation of internal accident prevention committees in all stages of the maintenance shutdowns. These bodies are considered essential for assessing risks, identifying weaknesses, and monitoring working conditions in the process.
National Mobilization and the Context of the 2025 Campaign for the Category
The discussions regarding maintenance shutdowns and the work regime are part of a larger scenario of negotiations regarding the 2025 Collective Agreement. The FUP and its unions have been reinforcing their initiatives to mobilize workers in recent weeks, especially after assemblies rejected previously presented proposals by Petrobras. In various states and units, the strike status and actions for ongoing negotiation monitoring were approved.
The entity has reiterated that its platform of demands involves several structural issues for the category, including social security rights, reorganization of the work regime, safety measures, and democratic participation of workers in decision-making processes. The current discussion about maintenance shutdowns adds to a broader set of demands and thus gained strategic importance for the federation.
Maintenance Shutdowns: Why the Topic is Crucial for the Future of the Category
The debate about maintenance shutdowns has become more relevant in recent years for various reasons. First, it is an activity directly related to the safety of operations at Petrobras units, involving high risks and the need for meticulous planning. Therefore, the FUP advocates that rules regarding shifts, schedules, and compensations be established with clear criteria negotiated between the company and the unions.
Moreover, this type of agreement directly influences the working conditions of oil workers and sets parameters that will be adopted in other areas. The federation considers that the attempt to impose unilateral changes could represent a dangerous precedent, opening the door for relaxations that affect other rights conquered by workers over the years.
Expectations of FUP and Next Steps in Negotiations with Petrobras
The FUP maintains the expectation that Petrobras will present a formal proposal to definitively regulate the maintenance shutdowns, ensuring operational safety, predictability, and fairness in the treatment of the activities. The entity advocates for the establishment of 168 hours as a reference base and believes that current rules should be improved, not reduced.
The federation also requests that workers from administrative and shift areas receive equal treatment in negotiations and that Petrobras strengthen operational safety measures, SMS management, and participation of internal accident prevention committees. For the workers’ representatives, these points are essential for preserving the integrity of operations and recognizing the efforts of teams involved in the maintenance shutdowns.
A Debate That Goes Beyond Collective Negotiations
The deadlock surrounding maintenance shutdowns and the work regime assumes a significance that transcends union borders. It involves structural themes for the future of the company and for the operational safety of the sector. As negotiations continue, the expectation remains that Petrobras formalizes an agreement capable of ensuring the protection of workers and the efficiency of operations.
As a result, the upcoming decisions will be decisive not only for the oil workers but also for how the energy industry manages its critical processes and treats its workforce. It is a debate that will continue to directly impact working conditions, operational safety, and the company’s relationship with its workers in the coming years.
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