Dismissals Suspended Until March 5 Hearing

One week after Brazilian planemaker Embraer announced plans to cut some 4,200 jobs worldwide, several unions representing Embraer workers filed a lawsuit claiming the company failed to give them proper notice of their intentions.

The group, led by The Metalworkers Union of São José dos Campos and Surrounding Region, together with other union organizations, filed the collective lawsuit Thursday with the 15th Regional Labor Appeals Court.

"This lawsuit submits to that Court's determination the question of whether the dismissals carried out by Embraer without previous negotiations with relevant Unions were legally conducted," said the planemaker in a release to ANN. "It also includes a request for interim relief suspending the layoffs."

That request was granted by the Court, who ordered the suspension of the dismissals in question until the conciliation hearing scheduled for March 5. Embraer noted the decision is "preliminary," and doesn't apply to workers already laid off by the planemaker.

Embraer maintains it complied with all laws and regulations... and says it will appeal the court's ruling.

"Embraer reiterates its profound respect for the employees who were laid-off, but, once again emphasizes the need to adjust to the drastic reduction in demand for aircraft worldwide," the company stated.

FMI: www.embraer.com