Strike continues at BP Feluy, Belgium site after talks fail

11 October 2001 14:10  [Source: ICIS news]

BRUSSELS (CNI)--Strike action at Belgian chemicals producer BP Chembel's site in Feluy was continuing on Thursday after conciliatory talks with trades unions broke down last night.

Blue-collar workers are striking over the sacking last week of 12 operators for gross misconduct and acts of violence, said Tim Armstrong, managing director of the site. Meanwhile, other employees and office workers have been able to return to work.

The unions - FGTB and CSC - want the operators to be reinstated but BP Chembel, which is part of UK-headquartered BP Chemicals, has refused.

All production at the Feluy site, which includes linear alpha olefins (LAO), polyalphaolefins (PAO) and aluminium alkylates, has been halted since late last week. Armstrong said BP Chembel expects to supply most of its key customers from other sites.

BP Chembel sacked 10 operators for gross misconduct and two for acts of violence against management, he said. The company must now defend its decision to sack two of the employees - who have special legal protection - in the courts, he added.

Armstrong said he is not surprised the talks with the union broke down last night, "given what we're trying to negotiate". He added, however: "Not all possibility of a resolution is lost."

(Additional reporting by Anna Jagger in London)

By: Hugo Leblud
+44 208 652 3214

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