Five Total refineries in France hit by strikes

French workers at Total’s Feyzin refinery have walked off the job and joined a strike at four other local plants run by the oil company as a salary row with management continues.

On Friday, workers at the plant, located near the city of Lyon, joined the strike with those at the La Mede, Gonfreville, Grandpuits and Donges refineries.

According to the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) union, Total company’s managers made a fourth and final proposal on Friday afternoon, offering a 1.5 percent pay raise.

Workers are said to be pushing for higher salary increases than those being currently offered. Many workers are expected to hold votes on whether to fully shut down the five refineries over the weekend or accept the final proposal.

According to union officials, output levels at the La Mede, Gonfreville, Grandpuits and Donges refineries have reached the minimum.

“There are no (oil) products leaving the refineries nor crude entering the sites,” an unnamed CGT union official said.