Toyota

Toyota's Brazilian operations won union approval for a temporary layoff plan after severe storms damaged the Porto Feliz engine plant, forcing production suspensions at Porto Feliz and the Sorocaba assembly plant. More than 96% of participating workers backed the agreement in a union ballot; out of 4,492 eligible voters, 3,709 cast ballots. Workers will first take a 20-day emergency vacation starting in mid-September, and temporary layoffs are set to begin from 21 October and may be extended monthly for up to 150 days, with lower- and mid-income employees (gross salary up to 10,000 reais) guaranteed full pay during the layoff period. Toyota said it is assessing damage that could take months to repair and is seeking alternative engine suppliers abroad to resume production at Sorocaba and Indaiatuba. The union and company characterized the measure as a way to protect jobs and income while operations are restored, but the article does not specify an exact number of employees to be laid off.

Toyota halted production at its Porto Feliz engine complex in São Paulo after heavy rains destroyed the facility, forcing the Sorocaba and Indaiatuba assembly plants, which rely on that site, to stop operations. The company said it is seeking alternative engine suppliers from other Toyota plants abroad and has proposed temporary suspension of employment contracts (layoffs) while talks with workers continue. Workers at the Sorocaba plant will vote in a virtual assembly on whether to accept the temporary layoff proposal, with employees given until Sept. 28 to discuss the measure. Toyota and the local union stated the company pledged to maintain jobs and negotiated benefits in Porto Feliz, and any approved proposals would be applied on an emergency basis.