Police officers try to push protesters back onto the pavement after they blocked traffic on Oxford Street, London, whilst taking part in a picket and demonstration they said was over dismissals of 28 workers employed by contractors on the Crossrail transport project, for being trade union members, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. The protest was held to coincide with planned European strikes on Wednesday in Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, France and Belgium against austerity measures and economic reforms. Crossrail, due to start running services in 2018, is a new train line that will include twin-bore 21 km tunnels under central London and link 37 stations including transport hubs such as Heathrow airport with business districts including the City and Canary Wharf. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Europe gripped by mass strike action against austerity

Anti-austerity protesters have taken to the streets in their thousands as part of Europe-wide strike action.

In Portugal and Spain workers are on strike to oppose continued austerity measures, and the acceptance of austerity-focused 2012 budgets. In Italy and Greece walkouts are also planned with airports, schools, hospitals and public transport shutting down.

Public buildings such as libraries and council offices are shut in many of the participating cities, and people on the ground have reported that the majority of streets are empty, with shops shut and very little traffic.

(NewsPoint)