The Associated Press reported that striking coal workers blocked roads with burning tires and fired missiles at police to stop them breaking up protests in northern Spain Tuesday.

While some miners have remained underground for 23 days, thousands of others in the northern provinces of Asturias and Leon set tires alight sending plumes of black smoke into the night sky to highlight calls for negotiations on job cuts.

Mr Jose Angel Fernandez of the General Workers' Union said protesters had decided to use the strong tactics because police in riot gear had fired tear gas and used baton charges.

Mining has been an integral part of the economy of the two northern provinces since Roman times. Many miners are worried that government cuts including a reduction in mining subsidies from EUR 300 million to EUR 110 million will mean the end of their industry.

Source - Associated Press

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