Truck Strike Paralyzes Gas in Puerto Rico

[Eugene]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-puerto-rico-truck-strike,1,5823925.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

7:52 PM PDT, July 21, 2005

Truck Strike Paralyzes Gas in Puerto Rico
By Associated Press
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- A truck strike paralyzed fuel deliveries
across Puerto Rico on Thursday, prompting motorists to form huge
lines at gas stations that were quickly running out of fuel.

Hundreds of truck drivers refused to transport gasoline, food and other
products to demand a 30 percent raise on government-set payments for
deliveries. The truckers said they were willing to accept a temporary
10 percent raise to end the strike and resume negotiations.

<snip>

Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila said he would deploy National Guard troops
to help police escort truck drivers willing to deliver to gas
stations, hospitals and other essential services.

At least 400 of the U.S. Caribbean territory's 1,450 gas stations
ran out of fuel as hundreds of motorists rushed to fill their tanks,
causing massive traffic jams in the capital, said Efrain Reyes, the
president of the Association of Gasoline Retailers.

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