NATION IN BRIEF : TEXAS : Greyhound Lays Off Maintenance Crews

Greyhound Lines Inc. said in Dallas that it had laid off almost one-fifth of its maintenance force, citing reduced workloads caused by a 7-week-old strike by bus drivers. Affected were 275 of the current 1,395 mechanics, mechanics helpers, storekeepers, truck drivers and service workers. Greyhound has refused to meet with union representatives until seven straight days have passed without violence. The latest incident occurred Wednesday, when a bus bound for Oklahoma City, Okla., was struck by two bullets. The company has been operating reduced schedules, using replacement workers and crossovers, and says it currently is carrying about two-thirds as many passengers as it was at this time last year.