British pay strike leaves homes without water

Britons were boiling water Monday as this country's 29,000 water and sewage workers went on strike for higher pay, leaving some homes without water and threatening disruptions in industry.

Water authorities urged Britons to boil water at least a minute for cooking, drinking, and dishwashing. The strike officially began after marathon talks to avert the walkout broke off in failure. The unions want a 15 percent raise this year. Management has offered between 5.5 and 6 percent.