Steelworkers adamant; British industry braced

Striking steelworkers formally rejected an increased pay offer Tuesday, and British industry braced itself for a long, damaging dispute. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher consulted ministers, but her aides told reporters the government was still determined not to step into the biggest union- management battle since she took office nine months ago. More than 100,000 workers employed by the state-owned British Steel Corporation struck Jan. 2 for increases of about 17 percent to match inflation.