French police break fuel depot blockade, nuclear plant strike looms


Striking French CGT labour union employees sit near a barricade to block the entrance of the fuel depot of the SFDM company near the oil refinery of Donges, France, May 25, 2016 in protest over proposed new labour laws. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

PARIS (Reuters) - The stand-off between France's government and a hardline union over labour reforms worsened on Wednesday as the country mobilised strategic oil stocks for the first time in 6 years and employers warned the protests were starting to hurt the economy.

Police broke up a fuel depot blockade with water cannon and staff at France's 19 nuclear plants voted to strike on Thursday, in an escalation which a majority of French fear could disrupt the Euro 2016 football championship.

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