> Date: Sat, 19 Apr 1997 00:05:58 GMT > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (dckom) > Subject: Re: Brazilian strikers close ports > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > Brazilian strikers close ports > Copyright 1997 by United Press International > > RIO DE JANEIRO, April 18 (UPI) -- Brazilian stevedores and other > workers have closed the country's ports with a planned two-day stoppage > in support of strikers at the port of Santos. > The stevedores at Santos, Brazil's principal port, have closed the > Cosipa steel company's terminal since Tuesday in protest against > attempts by the company to bypass the union in loading and unloading > contracts. > Stevedores at all 53 ports in the country stopped work Friday in > support of the protest at Santos. > Cosipa, which has lost an estimated $3 million because of the union > action, blames the union monopoly for the high cost of port operations, > making imports more expensive and exports less competitive. > The president of the Santos Stevedores Union, Joaquin dos Santos > (``hwah-KEEN' dohz ZAHN'-tohz''), said the issue was ``a matter of life > or death'' for workers and that the union was ``defending its job > market.'' > The government has said it will not take sides in the dispute. > >
