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Brazil workers plan massive strikes

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November 13, 2000 

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Thousands of Brazilian workers are expected to walk off the job Monday in two massive strikes that could disrupt production at a federal oil company and several large auto makers.

Weeks of negotiations between the government-run oil giant, Petrobras, and unions representing 35,000 oil workers looking for higher pay failed to produce an agreement to head off the nationwide strike.

Labor leaders contend that Petrobras should share a larger chunk of its profits with its workers. Petrobras officials have offered a 7 percent pay raise. But the unions are seeking a 9 percent raise, along with compensation for alleged losses resulting from the government devaluation last year of the Brazilian currency, the real.

Petrobras has vowed that the labor dispute will not affect the supply of essential products such as bottled gas, used in many homes.

Some 60,000 auto workers — also demanding a pay raise — have threatened to halt production Monday in Sao Paulo state. Labor leaders claim the strike will keep 4,000 vehicles from being produced a day.

Workers will reportedly meet Monday at Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Ford, Scania and Toyota plants to discuss how long the strike should last.