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29 January, 2007
French unions held successful manifestations on 22 January at Shell France refineries over possible the possible sale of three facilities. FCE-CFDT, FO, CGT, CFE-CGC, and CFTC joined as one to call on the Anglo-Dutch company to assure full employment and maintain all social rights of workers in the event of divestiture.
On 11 January, Shell France confirmed reports from late last year that three French refineries, as well as a petrochemical refinery in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, were up for “strategic review.” The French sites include the large Berre-l’Etang solvents refinery, and refineries at Petit-Couronne and Reichstett-Vendenheim. Some 2,500 of Shell France’s 3,600 workers would be affected by asset sales of the three refineries.
The unions held a press conference at Berre after presenting management with a petition calling for respect and honest social dialogue with workers before any sale occurs. Some 1,500 workers are employed there. Similar petitions were handed to Shell management at Petit-Couronne and Reichstett, where 550 and 240 workers are employed.
“We request from any potential buyer a clear plan for the facility,” FCE-CFDT Union Representative Jean-Luc Bildstein told Agence France Presse. “For now, we do not see a strike occurring but if Shell does not hear our demands, other actions will be considered.”
The one-day manifestations were considered a success since the vast majority of Shell workers at each site turned out for the protests.