French union strikes hit Atofina production at most sites

04 March 2004 16:03 [Source: ICIS news]

PARIS (CNI)--Atofina said Thursday that production at most of its sites in France was hit today by strike action over plans to spin off its chlorochemicals, intermediates and performance products (CIP) business.

A spokesman for the French chemicals group, Gilles Galinier, told CNI that the industrial action called for by trade union CGT was "well followed on the majority of sites".

The main strikes action saw production disrupted at a number of targeted sites following shift changes. Galinier added that less strike action was undertaken by administrative personnel and won little support at the firm's affiliates, such as Atoglas.

The first of three meeting to be held by the Central Workers Committee over the spin off plans took place today, which prompted the timing of the industrial action. The second meeting is due in a month.

Atofina's parent group, the French energy and chemicals major Total, announced last month it planned to shake-up the chemicals portfolio, including the spin off of CIP activities. The move sparked fears of job cuts among chemicals workers.

By: Doris Leblond
+44 20 8652 3214

< previous article(ICIS Chemical Business podcast November 2, 2009)

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly