Strike may lead to petrol shortages

Unions have warned that there may be a shortage of petrol and diesel at petrol stations all over the island if CLH workers go out on strike on January 2, as planned. CLH (Compañia Logistica de Hidrocarburos) is planning a nationwide strike on January 2, 3, 4, 5, 16, 17, 18 and 19, in protest at the management's refusal to negotiate an employment plan for the 25 to 30 per cent of the workers who will lose their jobs because of the closure of installations and various lines of business. The strike was initially due to start on December 26, 27, 28 and 29, but was called off so that talks could be held. However, the unions say, as the management showed no signs of raprochement, the strike will take place in January. The ministry of finance has set minimum services at 70 per cent, although the unions say that this is “abusive.” They have warned that there could be serious problems in petrol and diesel supplies, as well as airplane fuel at airports and oil products in general. The unions have also accused CLH of being “irresponsible.” They have accused the firm of only paying attention “to the dictates of its current partners, Repsol YPF, Cepsa and BP, more concerned in selling 50 per cent of the company for 140'000 million pesetas, with the support of the government.”