Refinery strike in France extended 4 days

Oct. 18, 2005
The strike at Total SA's 343,000-b/cd Gonfreville L'Orcher refinery in northern France has shut down the entire facility following the decision of the 70 strikers Oct. 17 to extend the strike until Oct. 21 (OGJ Online, Oct. 14, 2005). The strikers are seeking a 200 euro/month wage increase.

Doris Leblond
OGJ Correspondent

PARIS, Oct. 18 -- The strike at Total SA's 343,000-b/cd Gonfreville L'Orcher refinery in northern France has shut down the entire facility following the decision of the 70 strikers Oct. 17 to extend the strike until Oct. 21 (OGJ Online, Oct. 14, 2005). The strikers are seeking a €200/month wage increase.

The strike is costing Total some €2 million/day. Total spokeswoman Bertille Aron told OGJ that a negotiation schedule is being discussed between the strikers and the refinery's local authority involving salary adjustments on a job classification basis.