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Fuel Prices Drive Spanish Truckers to Protest

Strike idles tens of thousands of vehicles

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 9, 2008 4:40 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Spanish truck drivers went on strike at midnight to protest skyrocketing fuel prices, erecting blockades across the country and snarling traffic on the border with France, the EiTB network reports. Drivers who attempted to continue operating found their tires slashed, windshields smashed and headlights destroyed. Fuel prices in Spain have risen more than 35% this year.

An unidentified truck driver prepares a cigarette while waiting outside his truck next to a tire punctured by Spanish strikers near to the border with France in Behobia, Spain, Monday, June 9, 2008.
An unidentified truck driver prepares a cigarette while waiting outside his truck next to a tire punctured by Spanish strikers near to the border with France in Behobia, Spain, Monday, June 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
A masked Basque police officer control several trucks blocking the road near to the Spanish border with France in Behobia, Spain, Monday, June 9, 2008.
A masked Basque police officer control several trucks blocking the road near to the Spanish border with France in Behobia, Spain, Monday, June 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
An unidentified truck driver waits inside his truck blocking the road near the French border in Behobia, Spain, Monday, June 9, 2008.
An unidentified truck driver waits inside his truck blocking the road near the French border in Behobia, Spain, Monday, June 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Trucks block the traffic on the Spanish border with France in Behobia, Spain, Monday, June 9, 2008. Tens of thousands of Spanish truckers began an indefinite strike over fuel costs.
Trucks block the traffic on the Spanish border with France in Behobia, Spain, Monday, June 9, 2008. Tens of thousands of Spanish truckers began an indefinite strike over fuel costs.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
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