UPDATE: Total Encouraging Talks Between UK Unions,Contractors
June 23 2009 - 6:44AM
Dow Jones News
Total SA (TOT) Tuesday said it is "actively encouraging" talks
between its contractors and unions over how to facilitate the
return of contract workers to a construction project at its U.K.
Lindsey oil refinery.
"These discussions between the unions and the contracting
companies should focus on getting the project back up and running
within the agreed timeframe and budget," Total said in a statement
Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for conciliation agency ACAS confirmed however
there will be no official joint talks taking place through them
today.
Spokesman for the union Unite Ciaran Naidoo told Dow Jones
Newswires there has been some progress in negotiations and that a
joint meeting would be held in London later Tuesday between the
unions and representatives for the contractors from the trade
association for the U.K engineering construction industry.
The negotiations will review a working practice agreement signed
by both parties through the Engineering and Construction Industry
Association.
"At the top of the agenda is obviously the reinstatement of the
workers who have lost their jobs at Lindsey as soon as possible,"
Naidoo said.
Total said delays, under performance and low productivity at the
project have already cost in the region of an additional EUR100
million.
Friday, Total fired 647 contract workers at Lindsey following
unofficial industrial action, and offered a deadline of Monday
afternoon to contractors to reapply for their jobs. Total said it
will be the end of the week before its contractors can say how many
workers will return to work.
"There is no question of a reduction in pay or dilution of
existing terms and conditions," it said in its statement
Tuesday.
-By Angela Henshall and Nick Heath; Dow Jones Newswires; (4420)
7842 9285; angela.henshall@dowjones.com