1.   Workers downed tools in the major industries, while air and rail transport were largely halted and schools shut.

2.   Workers downed tools in the village and in the surrounding fields as the funeral began and restaurants remained closed throughout the morning.

3.   Workers had downed tools eight days ago following the dismissal of a trade union leader for allegedly intimidating workers during a strike in March.

4.   Workers had downed tools eight days ago following the dismissal of NUM branch chairman Jackson Mafika for allegedly intimidating workers during a strike in March.

5.   Kokori claimed that the strike has also partially affected the extraction of crude oil for the international market as workers in the rigs downed tools.

6.   On Wednesday, metal workers downed tools as independent trade unionists for the first time backed the swelling opposition protests.

7.   Some parts of Hong Kong enjoyed a few moments of unaccustomed silence, as building workers briefly downed tools in respect.

8.   Tens of thousands of Italian workers downed tools Thursday in the first of a series of phased regional strikes against government plans to reform the labour law.