11.   The blockades went up last night after the drivers refused to accept a tentative wage agreement drawn up by union negotiators and a small group of trucking companies.

12.   The company needs to get a flexible wage agreement in place before the next downturn.

13.   The industry recently signed a wage agreement that links pay rises to productivity for the first time.

14.   The possibility of a jump in the rate of inflation is also worrying investors, especially after the government reached a wage agreement with public sector workers.

15.   The rise is in line with other wage agreements reached recently in other industries.

16.   The strike at the key Colombian port of Buenaventura ended after union leaders and management reached a wage agreement, port officials said.

17.   The strike at the key Colombian port of Buenaventura ended yesterday after union leaders and management reached a wage agreement, port officials said.

18.   Those eight unions already have negotiated wage agreements.

19.   Three weeks ago, when the workers were asked to sign new wage agreements, Ms. Dillon saw her chance.

20.   Unions threatened strikes and court action in protest, saying the reductions were illegal under some existing wage contracts and unacceptable for future wage agreements.