Wave of strikes cripples Europe as workers vent fury at budget cuts - by Anita Brooks and Vanessa Mock

Workers across Europe yesterday vented their anger against government spending cuts and tax hikes that unions said would punish the poor.

Rallies were called in 13 capital cities and millions of Spanish workers went on strike in a mass action that hobbled public transport, paralysed building work and left streets littered with uncollected rubbish. 

Some 100,000 workers, including German miners and Polish shipbuilders, brought Brussels to a standstill to protest against savage spending cuts they claimed would make workers the biggest victims of an economic crisis that they are blaming on bankers and traders in the financial markets.

For more: Wave of strikes cripples Europe as workers vent fury at budget cuts - Europe, World - The Independent