Atofina deal ends strikes over Albemarle transfer terms

01 December 2003 13:55  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--French chemicals firm Atofina said Monday that production of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) at Fos and bromide at Port-de-Bouc has restarted after a deal was reached with strikers.

A spokeswoman for Atofina said that under the settlement an extra bonus of Euro4000 ($4800) would be paid to 100 workers due to be transferred to US flame retardant producer Albemarle. The workers are being transferred as part of a deal to sell the Port-de-Bouc bromide business to Albemarle, which she added was still expected to be completed this month.

The additional bonus takes the total one-off payment each worker will receive to Euro6500, the spokeswoman confirmed. The workers have also been given a series of guarantees as part of the previously agreed transfer settlement.

Production of bromide at Port-de-Bouc and VCM at Fos resumed on Saturday (29 November), the spokeswoman said. Atofina reached the settlement with workers' representatives late Friday, she added.

The Port-de-Bouc bromide production workers went on strike on 18 November and were joined after two days by the VCM workers at Fos. No other Atofina production was affected by the strikes.

By: Patrick Reynolds
+44 208 652 3214

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