BRAZIL'S OIL INDUSTRY CRIPPLED BY WALKOUT

A strike by employees of Petroleos Brasileiro SA has put a huge dent in Brazil's oil and gas production and refining operations. Petrobras Pres. Ernesto Teixeira Weber last week said about 70% of onshore workers and 90% of offshore workers had joined the strike since the walkout began Sept. 11. There are about 55,000 oil workers throughout the country. The central issue is money. Workers want a 370% wage hike to catch up with inflation-15% in August alone. Petrobras is willing to grant