BP unions in Rotterdam vow strike if wage demands not met
Reuters
Published Nov 10, 2022 07:41AM ET
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Workers at the BP (NYSE:BP) PLC oil refinery in Rotterdam are threatening to strike if their pay demands in a new collective bargaining agreement are not met by noon on Nov. 14, fuelling concerns about a potential diesel shortage next month.
The BP refinery in Rotterdam processes around 400,000 barrels of oil annually, and is an important supplier of diesel to Northern Europe.
"If we don't receive a reaction from BP about our ultimatum and our demands, then we will proceed to action," said spokesman Jaap Bosma of the CNV union in an interview. CNV represents 440 of the 730 workers at the refinery and says it has a mandate from them to strike.
BP said it remains in discussions with the unions and is hopeful of a resolution.
"We regret that we have not yet reached an agreement and that actions may follow," the company said in an e-mailed statement.
"We are convinced that we have offered a fair, market-based proposal...Naturally, we will remain in dialogue to reach an agreement soon."
Bosma said BP's final offer for a new collective labour agreement under discussion since April had been for a 5% wage increase and a one-time bonus of 4,000 euros ($4,000).
With Dutch inflation running around 15%, workers are seeking a 6% increase, the 4,000-euro bonus, and also an equity compensation package that would amount to another 3.5% pay increase, Bosma said.
Market observers and the Dutch government have warned of possible diesel shortages after Russian crude is banned from European ports in early December.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.