São Paulo traffic agents to strike from tonight, threatening F1 Grand Prix weekend operations

Traffic agents of São Paulo's Companhia de Engenharia de Tráfego (CET) will go on strike from 10 p.m. tonight (November 5) until 8 p.m. on Sunday (November 8), coinciding with the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix (November 6–8) and the first day of Brazil's national ENEM university entrance exams (November 8) on the same weekend, putting the Grand Prix weekend's traffic arrangements at risk. (Photo: file image of the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix, source: McLaren.)

Mediation fails; union demands 4.39% pay rise

The Sindviários union said a mediation hearing at the Regional Labour Court (TRT-2) on Wednesday (November 4) ended without agreement. The union is demanding a minimum 4.39% pay rise and the preservation of clauses in the 2026–2028 collective agreement; the judge suggested a flat 4.11% rise, which the union rejected because city representatives were absent and the proposal needs review by the city's Budget and Finance Board (JOF).

Grand Prix traffic plan may be affected

CET had already announced a special Grand Prix traffic operation running from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday, with special lanes from 4 a.m. on Friday and roadblocks from 5 a.m. — only six hours after the strike is due to start. It is not yet confirmed what share of agents will join the strike, what contingency teams exist, or whether the Grand Prix traffic plan will be affected; CET and the São Paulo city government had not commented as of publication.

According to reports, the strike does not threaten cancellation of the race itself. The Grand Prix at Interlagos goes ahead as scheduled from Friday.

(Sources: Metrô CPTM, Grande Prêmio, Sindviários, November 5, 2026.)