Oil giant Total postpones decision on future of refinery

AFP - French oil giant Total said Monday it had postponed until late June a decision on the future of a refinery in northern France and pledged to guarantee the jobs of 370 people employed there.
  
The announcement was made during a meeting of the company's workers' committee that drew 1,000 demonstrators, according to trade unions and 500 according to police.
  
Total came under sharp attack from political leaders last March when it announced plans to cut 555 jobs in France after turning a profit of 13.9 billion euros (19 billion dollars) in 2008.
  
The company on February 11 is to report its 2009 net earnings, which are expected to come to around 8.0 billion euros.
  
Total in September, citing a decline in sales of refined products, halted operations at its refinery near Dunkirk, northern France, and said in December it was considering a move to shut down the facility, which employs 370 people directly and 450 sub-contractors.
  
"Expected market developments are not likely to improve the situation," the company said Monday.
  
But it added that "without pre-judging the decision that will be taken," Total "is committed to guaranteeing each worker a job at Total consistent with his qualifications."
  
For sub-contractors, "a certain number of services -- catering, cleaning -- will be maintained," said Michel Benezit, general director for refining and marketing.
  
"All scenarios are still possible," he added, "but there is no question of the refinery continuing to treat crude oil."
  
Prior to the announcement Industry Minister Christian Estrosi said the government would "not accept a unilateral step being taken (by Total) without a commitment on job security for the refinery's workforce."
  
"In no circumstances can the Total refinery in Dunkirk ... be closed without there being the necessary guarantees on a new activity (there)," he added.
  
Estrosi stressed that the country would find it hard to understand how Total, a hugely profitable company, could take such a step without some action on preserving employment.
  
"Our wishes have been heard," Estrosi told the broadcaster RTL after the announcement.
  
The CGT trade union, hailing what it described as a "first pull-back by management," called for the French presidency to organise "a round table on the future of the refinery" and on France's "energy independence."