21.   The fired workers will receive buyout packages.

22.   The hospital insisted that it was not acting unfairly and that the nine fired workers had not properly disclosed their criminal records.

23.   The increase reflects costs for paying severance to fired workers, closing offices, eliminating businesses and disposing of equipment.

24.   The protests spread, and the company was forced to negotiate, reinstating some fired workers.

25.   Under the current system, courts usually force companies to take back fired workers and pay back wages.

26.   A spokesman for Petroperu said the fired workers would not be rehired because such work force reductions are allowed under the regulations for privatization of state-owned companies.

27.   Also, it remained unclear whether all or any of the fired workers would be rehired.

28.   Another one-day strike had been called for Friday, but was called off earlier this week after two fired workers were reinstated.

29.   China puts three dissidents on trial for organizing fired workers.

30.   Despite the dismissals, company statements say negotiations on ending the strike include provisions for fired workers to seek reinstatement.