SAO PAULO, Brazil — A week-old truckers’ strike in Brazil has led to four deaths and 74 arrests.

The truck drivers are striking to protest poor working conditions, among them cut-throat freight rates, high tolls, poor highways and the threat of violence along the dangerous country’s roadways.

Three of the four deaths were police officers killed, ironically, in a road accident on their way back from a picket line.

News reports indicate that by Saturday, the strike, which involved clashes with police which injured seven, was becoming much less confrontational. That day, protest organizers ordered pickets off the highways.

Protesters will remain on strike at least until a meeting between the United Brazilian Truck Drivers Movement and government, scheduled for today.