Rioters and police clashed today outside Strasbourg's European parliament, where a debate on the liberalisation of port services is to take place, injuring three policemen, a parliament spokesman said.
Police fired water cannons and tear gas at up to 6,000 union members who turned up to demonstrate against opening up to competition European port services such as cargo handling, spokesman Jose Liberato said.
The parliament's exterior glass was smashed by rocks and ice thrown by the protesters, and burnt cars were spotted in the city centre away from the building.
"There were a few incidents earlier in the day in Strasbourg in which a number of vehicles were burnt out. We now fear there could be a repeat of this, this evening when the official demonstration is over," one policeman said.
Of the three policemen taken to hospital, one had serious injuries.
The unions say the proposed changes, including opening up cargo handling to tender, will lead to job losses.
