The World - News from Nov. 24, 1988

Thousands of Brazilian workers returned to their jobs at Latin America’s biggest steel plant, ending a 17-day strike that was marked by a confrontation with troops that left three strikers dead and scores injured. It was the nation’s worst labor turmoil since President Jose Sarney took office in 1985. A union spokesman said workers met outside the headquarters of the National Steel Co. at the Volta Redonda plant, northwest of Rio de Janeiro, and voted to accept a company offer that included an 8% wage boost and other benefits. The company also agreed to compensate the families of the workers killed when troops stormed the plant two weeks ago. The workers had been demanding labor benefits guaranteed in Brazil’s new constitution, such as a shorter workweek.