The CGT union of French oil major Total SA (TOT) said Friday the company's employees at domestic refineries as well as at some lubricant plants and air-refueling operations are on an open-ended strike over a wage dispute.
A company's spokesman declined to comment.
In a statement, Total's CGT union said that employees at some of its refineries -Normandie, Donges, Feyzin, La Mede, Grandpuits, Gargenville- have been on strike since Thursday 2100 GMT.
Gargenville used to be a refinery but now is used as an oil storage facility, an employee there confirmed.
Some employees of the Flandres refinery are also on strike but on a lesser extent, the CGT said.
Employees at lubricants plants in Rouen, Oudalle, as well as at air refueling operations at Lille and Bordeaux airports are also on strike, the union said, adding that some other airports could also be hit throughout the day.
Wage discussions are being held Friday with the company's management, the union said.
Employees on strike will meet Saturday between 1100 GMT and 1400 GMT to decide whether to continue with the strike or not. Their decision hinges on the outcome of the talks, said the union.
"Tomorrow, Saturday, this strike .... could then take a major turn through a complete stoppage of installations, if employees find management's proposals over a wage increase are unacceptable," the union said.
At 0952 GMT, shares in Total were down EUR2.00, or 4.8%, to EUR39.39, mirroring the CAC-40 down 4.8%.