Lubrizol Strike: Unions Voice Concerns over Restructuring
Lubrizol France, a prominent producer of additives for fuel and lubricants, is facing a major strike as unions raise concerns over a restructuring plan that threatens nearly 150 jobs in the Seine-Maritime region of France.
On Tuesday, a strike brought production to a halt at the company’s sites in Rouen and Le Havre. The strike, initiated by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), is set to continue for a week.
Thomas Ferment, a CGT representative, emphasized the union’s demand for the withdrawal of the Safeguarding Employment Plan (PSE), stating that the plant is financially sound. He pointed to the company’s production of 350,000 tons in 2024, significantly exceeding that of its competitor, Chevron.
Lubrizol France operates three sites in France, producing a range of additives for gasoline, diesel, and engine and industrial lubricants. The management announced a PSE in early February, proposing the elimination of 169 positions, including 145 of the 367 jobs at the Rouen/Petit-Quevilly site.
The management expressed surprise and regret over the strike, noting that they had agreed to postpone the PSE process by three weeks. However, union representatives, including Reginald Sauvalle of the French Democratic Confederation of Labor (CFDT), maintained that the strike was necessary to address the shortcomings of the restructuring plan.
Sauvalle asserted that the plant is viable and denounced the opening of "customer centers" and a "mega-factory" in India. He also criticized the lack of communication and transparency from the management.
The PSE has raised concerns among employees and union members, particularly in light of the major fire that occurred at the Rouen plant in September 2019. The combustion of 10,000 tons of chemical products during the fire resulted in respiratory issues, irritation, and other health problems among the local population.
A follow-up report by the University of Rouen identified eight substances classified as "carcinogenic and mutagenic, endocrine disruptors and/or reprotoxic, or toxic to aquatic organisms" in the environment. The report attributed the presence of these substances solely to the fire.
The strike at Lubrizol France underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the industrial sector in France. Unions are demanding greater transparency and accountability from management, as well as measures to protect jobs and ensure the well-being of workers and the community.
