Truck drivers remain divided on their decision after the decision of the STF – Economy

Intense discussions within WhatsApp groups have divided truck drivers across the country about a new ruling, in response to the decision of Federal Supreme Court Minister Luiz Fux to suspend Application of fines for non-compliance with the minimum road freight prices until the court rules on the constitutionality of the board – which has no date to occur. There is a lot of discontent at the grbadroots level and the leaders are trying to contain the movement.

"The strike is not irrelevant, but it is the last resort," said Carlos Alberto Litti Dahmer, president of the Union of Freight Forwarders (Sinditac) today. ) of Ijuí (RS). "The movement is well divided between those who want a direct confrontation with the STF and those who think they still have the opportunity to progress in the negotiation."

"The stop is not yet ruled out," said Alexandre Fróes, of Santa Catarina. "We are in direct conversation with the future minister (of Infrastructure, Tarcisio Gomes de Freitas) and with the captain (the elected president, Jair Bolsonaro)."

The impulse to trigger a new halt, Friday, seems to have lost strength with the movements that occurred in Brasilia. The dialogue with the transitional team and the promise of the Attorney General's Office (AGU) officialized last night to appeal the decision of Fux gave ammunition to the leaders to contain the most ardent minds.

After meeting at the AGU, the President of the Cooperative Autonomous Transport of Brazil (BrasCoop), Wallace Ladim, the "Chorão", explained at its base that the decision of the STF prevents the application of fines. But the minimum floor value for the freight service, ie the price list, is still valid.

As long as this scenario continues, the National Agency of Land Transport (ANTT) can warn truckers and companies that work independently. This notification serves as a basis for the driver to enter the court and demand an indemnity equivalent to twice the difference between the price charged and that fixed by the government. This is not an ideal solution from the point of view of truckers.

Litti, a respected former leader of the movement, believes that there is a way forward in the administrative field. It recommends that the National Agency for Land Transport (ANTT) accelerate the work to set up an electronic system for controlling the payment of freight. Today there is a mandatory document for trucking services called Transportation Operator Code (Ciot). It is proposed to issue it only if the freight price is in line with the minimum stages. In this way, it would no longer be necessary to carry out inspections on motorways or to impose fines.

This solution responds to the main complaint of the truckers, namely the pressure exerted by the companies for them to work independently. However, it is still under construction at the regulatory agency. It will take months to prepare, according to technical information. ANTT is currently recruiting a consultant to develop a proposal to modify the system.