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28 October, 2005
FNV Bondgenoten, an ICEM affiliate, and Christian union CNV Chemie will strike Shell Nederland this week after the company on 28 October refused to withdraw a demand over changes in energy workers’ pension scheme.
Workers are to meet on 31 October at an oil refinery in Pernis and a chemical facility in Moerdijk to finalize strike plans, and Shell workers at other locations are expected also to commence strikes. Shell has proposed to the Central Works Council and to the unions that the pension age be raised from 60 to 65, with all Shell workers paying contributions on future pension premiums. Currently, Shell employees earning €60,000 or less annually are exempt for payments toward early retirement.
The unions contend Shell itself must maximize premium payments to ensure adequate pensions for workers choosing to retire early. Workers at NAM Nederland BV in Groningen, the joint venture between Shell and ExxonMobil that is Europe’s largest onshore gas field, also fall under the Shell pension scheme and also are considering a strike.