The UNIONS of ELF EP CFDT - CFTC - CGT - FO - SICTAME CGC

April, 27, 1999

17th day of strike

THE MANAGEMENT REJECTS ANY NEGOTIATION

After a three days silence, A. Thebault presented this morning a four-point scheme for a negotiation with the Unions :

Early retirements

Working hours emendations

Staff reduction, outsourcing

Help to professional or personal projects (i.e. leaving the company)

The Unions once again called for a cancellation of point 3. The meeting was postponed until the daily strikers assembly at 1.30 p m.

WHAT SORT OF A NEGOTIATION IS THIS ?

To the Unions, the preamble on an acceptance of the outsourcing makes the scheme unbearable. The assembly confirmed this approach by an outstanding majority, and the strike was voted once again.

At the new discussions at 4 p m, the Unions denounced once again the staff reduction set by the management. Such a financial and dogmatic approach jeopardizes the industrial tool build in a 30-year endeavor.

The April, 26^th message from the Management praised the merits and assumed guarantees of this new style of firing people. We pointed this would be costly to the company.

A. Thebault’s answer was then a tremendous confession : with the planned " reengineering- of processes ", 250 only out of the 500 outsourced would work for ELF EP. To the others, their new " top level " company would have to find another occupation !

This will stand for a delusion to those, if any, who still take for granted the arguments of the Management : it means the placement office will show very soon ! !

At this negotiation meeting where nothing could be negotiated, the Unions once again asked A. Thebault if he had a delegation from President Vermeulen for a real negotiation on the 5-points scheme presented by the strikers. Without any answer, the Unions then left the place after a brief declaration.

Pau and Paris employees are hence still on strike against the Jaffre/Vermeulen project.

In Lacq, after several meetings within the plant, discussions are also blocked on the outsourcing problem.

In spite of the splitting of the company two years ago, EAP (Lacq) and EEP join in a common fight against the one and the same outworn social policy.

JOIN IN OUR RIGHTEOUS FIGHT FOR OUR WORK AND FUTURE