France's yellow vest protesters join union march, a first. France's yellow vest protest movement has joined ranks with a major union in a day of nationwide protests over taxes and buying power, a first for both

PARIS -- France's yellow vest protest movement has joined ranks with a major union in a day of nationwide protests over taxes and buying power, a first for both.

There were brief scuffles and police fired several rounds of tear gas at Tuesday's Paris demonstration, clearing troublemakers from the elegant Place de la Concorde, which borders the U.S. Embassy.

Tear gas was also used in Lille and elsewhere. However, tension was minimal compared with the weekly protests held since November by the yellow vest movement to demand fiscal and social justice in a major challenge to President Emmanuel Macron.

The Communist-backed CGT union marched from Paris City Hall to the Place de la Concorde side-by-side with protesters from the yellow vest movement, which takes its name from the safety vests they wear that are required in all cars.