The World - News from March 25, 1987

Ecuador closed schools for three days and arrested four union leaders on the the eve of a nationwide strike over an 80% boost in gasoline prices imposed after earthquakes devastated the country’s oil industry earlier this month. Education Minister Ivan Gallegos Dominguez closed universities and told primary and secondary students to stay home and study for exams, which he advanced from April 6 to Friday. Gallegos said he acted to protect the nation’s 1.6 million students during today’s strike. Leaders representing 380,000 state employees, oil workers and bus, truck and taxi drivers said they will heed the strike call.