Brazil's truck drivers reject concessions as strike goes into eighth day

[Judi Lynn]

Action over rising diesel prices forces closure of factories while protests against President Michel Temer continue in 25 states

Dom Phillips Rio de Janeiro

@domphillips
Mon 28 May 2018 18.08 EDT

On the eighth day of a nationwide strike over soaring fuel prices that has paralysed the Brazilian economy, truck drivers continued to protest on highways across the country.

According to the G1 news site, demonstrations continued on Monday in 25 states and the federal district of Brasília, while in São Paulo, school buses and motorbike couriers joined the protests.

New concessions announced by the president, Michel Temer, on Sunday night, including cutting taxes on diesel for 60 days, reduced tolls for empty trucks and minimum freight rates, initially appeared to have won over truckers. The Brazilian Truck Drivers Association – a key union that claims to represent 600,000 drivers – even said the strike was over.

. . .

“After 60 days it will go back to how it is, with higher prices,” said Edmundo de Souza, 36, a truck driver parked up with other strikers on a São Paulo highway. “Most people here realise that there was a victory, but the decision whether to continue will be up to a vote,” said José Rodrigues, leader of a group of strikers blocking Brazil’s biggest port in Santos.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/28/brazilian-truck-drivers-block-port-after-temers-offer-falls-flat