Strike action averted at Antwerp refineries

25 May 2007 11:29  [Source: ICIS news]

PARIS (ICIS news)--Belgian oil sector workers have voted in favour of a pay agreement, averting strike action at the country’s three oil refineries, the Belgian Petroleum Federation confirmed on Friday.

 

Oil sector workers voted by a 52.4% majority in favour of a collective labour agreement, which will give them a pay rise of 3% above inflation.

 

They will also receive a one-off bonus this year of €1,200 ($1,612), said a federation spokesman.

 

An earlier proposal had caused three of Belgium's main trade unions - the Christian ACV, the socialist FGTB and the liberal ACLVB - to threaten strike action.

 

Belgium’s three oil refineries are in the Antwerp area: Total's refinery has a capacity of 360,000 bbl/day; Exxon Mobil operates a 275,000 bbl/day facility; and Petroplus has a plant with 110,000 bbl/day of capacity.

 

Petroplus also operates a processing facility in the city.

 

($1 = €0.74)

By: Philippa Jones
+44 20 8652 3214

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