Strike at TotalEnergies Antwerp refinery suspended after new talks

Plans for a strike at the TotalEnergies refinery in Antwerp have been suspended after unions and management reached a conciliation proposal following lengthy negotiations on Friday night.

The strike had been due to run from 18 to 22 May and would have halted operations at the refinery. Because refinery installations cannot be shut down immediately, preparations for the stoppage were expected to begin this weekend.

The dispute centres on a new agreement covering pay and working conditions, which workers rejected at the end of April, partly over pension concerns.

Strike looms at TotalEnergies refinery in Antwerp as talks collapse

Workers are set to bring the TotalEnergies refinery in the Port of Antwerp to a standstill on 18 May, the socialist trade union ABVV announced on...

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Tensions also grew after reports that TotalEnergies bought large quantities of crude oil ahead of disruptions in the Persian Gulf and later sold it at major profits. Trade unions argued that workers should receive a share of those gains through a bonus payment. Management responded that the profits were not booked in Antwerp and that local executives do not have the authority to award such a bonus.

The unions ACV and ABVV said workers and staff will vote on the new proposal in the coming days. Until then, the strike notice has been suspended.

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