Oil workers go on strike in Brazil
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Brazilian oil workers have begun a 72-hour strike on the heels of a crippling nationwide truck drivers' strike that has started winding down after 10 days.
The country's two main oil workers' unions say the strike was called to demand lower fuel prices and the resignation of Pedro Parente, president of state-owned oil company Petrobras.
The strike began Wednesday in defiance of Brazil's top labor court, which declared it illegal and said the unions will have to pay a daily fine of 500,000 reals (about $135,000).
An oil worker holds a Brazilian national flag as she stands at the entrance of Petrobras refinery during a strike in Duque da Caxias, Brazil, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. Brazilian oil workers began a 3-day strike to demand a drop in the price of cooking gas. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
According to the Oil Worker's Federation, the strike has halted production at refineries in six states.
Petrobras said in a statement that contingency teams were operating production units where the strike prevented shift changes from taking place.
Oil workers shouts slogans as they hold a banner with a message that reads in Portuguese: "Oil Workers National Strike", at the entrance of Petrobras refinery during a strike in Duque da Caxias, Brazil, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
An oil worker wears a T-shirt with an image depicting Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during a strike at the Petrobras refinery in Duque da Caxias, Brazil, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. Brazilian oil workers began a 3-day strike to demand a drop in the price of cooking gas. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Workers pedal their bicycles past a banner with a message that reads in Portuguese: "Get out Parente", in reference to Pedro Parente, the president of the state-owned oil company, at the entrance of a Petrobras refinery during a strike in Duque da Caxias, Brazil, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. Brazilian oil workers began a 3-day strike to demand a drop in the price of cooking gas. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
An oil worker, wearing a uniform with "Out Temer" written on the backside, leads a chant at the entrance of the Petrobras refinery during a strike in Duque da Caxias, Brazil, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. Brazilian oil workers began a 3-day strike to demand a drop in the price of cooking gas. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
A soldier stands guard along federal highway BR-116 which connects to Mercosur countries, after the military cleared truckers, who were protesting rising fuel costs, from blocking the road in Embu das Artes, on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Soldiers stand guard along federal highway BR-116 which connects to Mercosur countries, after the military cleared truckers, who were protesting rising fuel costs, from blocking the road in Embu das Artes, on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)