Strikes at GM and Renault plants in Brazil
by Pablo Velasco Last week metalworkers went on indefinite strike at a General Motors (GM) plant and a Renault car factory in Brazil. Some 5,000 workers at GM's Sao Jose dos Campos plant and another 2,500 at Renault's Sao Jose dos Pinhais factory are striking for higher wages to compensate for rising inflation. In addition to a 10% wage increase, GM workers are demanding a cut in their working week from 40 to 36 hours and an "inflation clause" that guarantees a pay raise every time consumer prices jump more than 3%. At the Renault plant, union leaders are pushing for a 14% pay increase. The...