UpdateProducers relieved as Italy strike ends

13 December 2007 16:27  [Source: ICIS news]

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LONDON (ICIS news)--Italian truck drivers moved their trucks and went back to work on Thursday after a three-day protest that closed down chemical plants and crippled the country.

 

The Transport Ministry said that they had reached an agreement with the unions to end the strike which was meant to last until Friday.

 

Special dispensation had been given for the trucks to make deliveries on Sunday so the backlog of products stranded as a result could be moved, the ministry added.

 

The truck drivers, who were protesting about high fuel prices and long working hours, had blockaded roads throughout the country, bringing deliveries to a standstill.

 

Italian polycarbonate compounder Ravago, which lost production during the strike, was relieved the blocking action had stopped.

 

“Trucks are starting to circulate again and from today we can restart deliveries,” said Ravago spokesman Massimo Marziali.

 

“One week would have been a long time to be out at this time, now we can deliver during today and tomorrow - it was very good news," he added.

 

Caffaro, an Italian buyer of ethylene diamine (EDA) was forced to close down its plants on Wednesday due to lack of raw materials.

 

Sofia Lind contributed to this article

 

By: Lucy Craymer
+44 20 8652 3214

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