(BBC): Tens of thousands of workers across Brazil have joined a day of strikes called by the country’s largest trade unions.

Key ports and several motorways were blocked, many schools and banks stayed closed and crowds marched through Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
The unions want improved working conditions and better public services.
The crowds were smaller than in last month’s protests, which brought more than a million people onto the streets.
The June demonstrations were sparked by transport fare rises, but quickly encompassed other issues.
Other grievances were over the costs of staging the World Cup, corruption and demands for better health, education and transport.

TRANSPORT CHAOS
The “National Day of Struggles” called by the unions hit at least 10 Brazilian states  yesterday.
Activities at Brazil’s busiest port, Santos, and in Itaguai, in the south, and Suape, in the north-east, were halted by the strikers early in the morning.