Petrol shortage threat is lifted
Oil refinery workers returned to work this morning after seven-day strike that had prompted drivers to queue for petrol
A NATIONWIDE petrol shortage has been averted after striking oil refinery workers agreed to return to work this morning.
Staff at five Total plants around France walked out on strike last Thursday, prompting many drivers to start panic-buying fuel.
Some 250 Elf and Total petrol stations around France ran out of petrol yesterday, and the group set up a special phone number to help drivers find their nearest supplier.
Unions voted last night to call off the strike except at the plant in Dunkirk, which is still threatened with closure. Fuel production and delivery to petrol station forecourts should now return to normal.
However, workers did not rule out a return to the picket line depending on the outcome of a meeting with management about the future of the Dunkirk refinery.
Total has agreed not to close or sell any other refineries in France for at least five years. The fate of the Dunkirk plant - which employs about 380 staff and a similar number of sub-contractors - will be decided on March 8.
Workers there say a petrol shortage around the country was the best means of pressure they had, but they will continue their action because they have nothing to lose.
