1.   He stopped the seamen and dock workers joining the strike, but he did not take too hard a line.

2.   Telephone operators joined the strike and four million engineering workers are also planning action.

3.   Teachers have joined a strike aimed at forcing the government to pay overdue salaries and allowances.

4.   When management spoke to two technicians inside about the dispute they joined the strike too.

5.   They had a meeting with two technicians who then joined the strike as well.

6.   Banks and stocks markets are expected to be open, though some bank unions said they may urge employees to join the strike.

7.   A spokeswoman for the exchange was unable to confirm or deny whether the TASE would join the strike.

8.   Actors and singers have also joined the strike, and movie theaters were shut down by film distributors for the next two days.