News In Brief

Icelandic protest backs up strike by public workers

Thousands of demonstrators protested against the right-wing government at the opening of the Icelandic parliament Wednesday. The protest was called in support of a strike by public-sector unions which has closed seaports, schools, post offices, and public transportation since Oct. 4.

The public-workers' union has demanded a 30 percent wage increase. But the 17 -month-old government, which has reduced the inflation rate from 130 to less than 20 percent, offered only 6 percent.