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The news was confirmed by a spokesman for Total, following a central works council. The Dunkirk refinery has finally closed its doors Monday. As the oil group had promised the 370 employees keep their jobs by creating a depot, a training center, a technical center and reclassifications.

The logistics depot would employ 15 people, training centers and technical assistance in refining approximately 225. Employees will be offered 80 positions in other refineries, 30 positions in other structures of Total in France and 20 employees will be granted "for early career.

The proposed closure of the Dunkirk refinery is the source of the national strike in late February that poses the threat of a shortage of fuel.The refinery has 370 direct employees and 400 to 450 employees subcontractors.

Total promised to each employee in the establishment of Flanders' work at Total matching skills. Another promise: "no closure or sale" of French refineries will happen within five years.

Substitution project

Before the start of the meeting, Total has confirmed its participation in the construction of an LNG terminal by EDF in the port of Dunkirk. The agreement provides for "an equity Total capital 'of society, Dunkerque LNG, a subsidiary of EDF responsible for the construction of this terminal will terminal.Ce regasification capacity of between 10 and 13 billion cubic meters per year. The decision regarding its actual construction will be taken before the summer and could be put into service in 2014.It remains "conditioned on obtaining all regulatory approvals and the completion of commercial procedures and tenders for construction."

This project would mobilize up to 1,200 people during construction "and could generate" at least fifty direct jobs, which should add about 150 jobs indirectly "in the operating phase out the two groups. The Industry Minister Christian Estrosi had rightly warned that the Dunkirk refinery would reopen if there was "no real alternative project" to maintaining employment.

But this news should not necessarily good news for employees. The CGT and Sud believe that this project is too distant and "inadequate" to compensate for job losses.For 12 hours, the employees of Dunkirk appear before a seat of Total Defense.

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The year 2009 was not that of chemistry as shown in the results of the Arkema Group, published on Thursday. The group announced a net loss of 172 million euros, against a profit of 100 million euros in 2008. The turnover has shrunk from 21.1% to 4.44 billion euros for an operating margin of 7%, against 8.8% in 2008.

The group saw its three channels suffer because of weak demand and reduced inventories at its customers. The vinyl products business recorded a decline in its sales to 1 billion euros against 1.443 billion a year earlier. The industrial cluster Chemistry reaping 2.109 billion euros against 2.582 billion revenue in 2008 cash advance to savings account .Finally, the last part, performance products has achieved a turnover of 1.318 billion against 1.602 billion a year ago.

In 2010, Arkema expects a "significant increase" in sales and its gross operating profit (EBITDA), which stood at 310 million euros for 2009 (-37.8%). He adds that "standard conditions", Arkema is an operating margin "greater than 13.5%" in 2014.

In early September, Arkema, a former subsidiary of Total, announced the arrest of a production line in Saint-Auban (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) with the elimination of 88 positions.

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Air France-KLM fails to emerge from the fog in which she sailed past four quarters. The airline announced on Wednesday a further loss in the third quarter of fiscal shifted 2009-2010, the fifth in a row. Over this period (October to December), the group garnered a net loss of 295 million euros. This is less than the 508 million the previous year but well above the 216 million expected by analysts. The operating loss also disappointed expectations, to -245 to -194 million against expected by the market.

In the third quarter, revenue fell 16% to 5.19 billion euros. Observers had expected 5.34 billion euros."The business has shown during this quarter are some signs of recovery but in an economic environment that remains challenging," the group said in a statement.

Operating loss record throughout the year

For more, Air France KLM expects operating profit in the fourth quarter of fiscal offset "the same as that of last year" was 574 million euros. This "given the expected recovery later in unit revenues, lower capacity and an increase of about 300 million dollars from the oil bill.

This means that at this rate, the operating loss over the whole year could reach a record. Indeed, nine months, the group's operating loss amounted already to 788 million euros.Adding to the loss of 574 million harvested in the fourth quarter, the operating loss over the entire year could exceed 1.3 billion euros.

In a more distant future, Air France-KLM confirms targeting a return to balanced operations for its fiscal year 2010-11, excluding the impact of oil hedges prior to 2009. The company relies on cost reductions, "expected a slight increase in unit revenues, the implementation of medium-haul product and restructuring initiated in cargo activity.

The general environment is showing signs of improvement in the airline also confirmed the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The situation could hardly be worse than in 2009.

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If one were to designate a culprit in the matter of the contract failed to Abu Dhabi, it would not Areva. Here is essentially the message that Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of the giant nuclear delivered Wednesday before the Commission on Sustainable Development of the National Assembly. Better, Anne Lauvergeon refer to the former boss of EDF, Pierre Gadonneix, as responsible for the loss of the mega-contract. While Emiratis wanted an electrician at the head of the consortium which also includes GDF-Suez, Total, Vinci and Alstom, it would pass. "The president of EDF refused. The first time he told me 'no' because it was a project that would not exist, and the second time he told me 'no' because it was not a strategic country. We, we did everything to win this case, "says she. After long hesitation, EDF has finally joined the consortium.Too late for Anne Lauvergon which regretted the "cacophony" of the French team.

Implicitly, the president of Areva has denounced the lack of organization of the entire French nuclear industry, one really responsible for the loss of the contract. It specifically faults EDF want to claim leadership of the sector at the expense of others. "I think very frankly that in this area if we wish the team of France walk, everyone must stick together." The boss of Areva was referring to remarks made by the new CEO of EDF, Henri Proglio, who upon taking office had campaigned for his group to become the leader. Before being called to order by the government. "To each his job.While some may want to do our jobs, we in any case, it is clear we are on our territory and we did not want to do the work of others, "Anne Lauvergon Assen.

Redefining roles

To avoid further mishaps, the owner of Areva said after the mission entrusted to Francois Roussely the Elysee supposed redistribute roles clearly to 2030. "Let the State decide which operators are likely to be working nuclear export. And given the appropriate means to GDF Suez to take on this role. "

She said the reorganization will allow Areva to ensure reliable partners for the sale of the EPR in the world. "For countries novice, it takes a special organization. You have to know is the head electrician and what model is proposed, "says she.Asked about the high cost of ERP, that might actually played a major role in the victory of Korean Lauvergon Anne replied: "Nuclear safety has always been a cost." She said the levels of security and power of the French EPR of 1,600 megawatts (MW) are superior to those of Korean reactor of 1,400 MW.

The president of Areva therefore calls for standardization of international safety standards to prevent the development of "low cost center" that create "a nuclear two-tier". In conclusion, it announces its firm intention to leave his group to attack the Abu Dhabi for the supply of enriched uranium.

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The carnage continues at the head of easyJet. After the departure of its chairman Colin Chandler and his CFO Jeff Carr, the British low-cost announcement Wednesday in a statement the departure of its CEO Andy Harrison June 30, 2010. It is seeking "new challenges". He especially wants to leave a vessel marked by the power struggle within the board. Andy Harrison had promised to stay at least until late May to offset the departures of other leaders.

In the aftermath, the leadership announced the departure of its interim President David Michels on 1 January. At that time, it will be replaced by Michael Rake, BT's current president and former chairman of KPMG.David Michels, who is temporarily acting in the position since the departure last April by Colin Chandler, will resume his post as first independent director.

The upheaval at the head of EasyJet explained by conflicts between the team leader and founder Stelios Haji-Iannou, holder of 38% of the carrier. While the former wish to pursue a growth strategy of the fleet, Stelios Haji-Iannou said it would be unwise to embark on this adventure in a recession.

These two new departures lead to renewal of any team in the space of one year. Five of the eight leaders are gone. In his statement to the London Stock Exchange, easyJet hopes that "these appointments will ensure continued strong leadership." In markets, the news is unwelcome. By late morning, the title loses 1.96% to 4.08 euros.

The Supreme Court has sentenced in mid-November the ISP Free, a subsidiary of Iliad, to pay 2,500 euros to one of his subscribers who had complained in 2004 unable to receive television has yet endorsed a bid Triple Play (offers TV / Telephone / Internet) in the latter.

The customer had initially attacked Free before a judge near Orleans, demanding repayment of sums paid as damages. The verdict delivered on 1 July 2008 had gone in the direction of the operator who spoke of the technical problems he had informed his client at the outset of his subscription.The judge had chosen and the "obligation of means" and not "result" to make its ruling.

"The obligation of result" reached by the Court of Cassation

The Court of Cassation found instead that Free was indeed subject to an obligation of result vis-à-vis his client to provide the service for which he had paid, and only one case of "force majeure" would could relieve the operator and justify the breach of his contractual obligation that the technical incidents are not mentioned.

Such a ruling could set a precedent.That case, in addition to its symbolic of the victory of a "simple" client on a company such as Free, has serious consequences for the entire sector, as it will force all providers to verify that TV services are actually available before offering them to their future customers, under penalty of prosecution.

Without recourse, the operator has been convicted yet declined comment.

"The management of Eid is a real headache," says the manager of a transportation network. "Half of my bus drivers are Muslim. When they ask everyone to leave that day, how do you ensure 100% service? "

To anticipate these pressures, some companies now distribute a calendar of all religious festivals with their team leaders. While others repeatedly objected to "absences for religious reasons." "Each company designed a place for Allah. If employees are many Muslims, they dictate the standard. Otherwise, it's very random, "says anthropologist Dounia Bouzar, which today publishes the results of an extensive investigation into the working world. (Allah has a place in the company? Albin Michel).A textbook which we regret the anonymity of managers who tell on a daily basis, rising claims.

One third of French companies have expressed their concern, primarily in Ile-de-France, but also in the north-east and south-eastern France, in the areas of trade, services and construction, according to the results of Ifop poll of April 2008. "Can you dismiss an employee who gets to wear the headscarf?" Questioning often responsible when using Dounia Bouzar to conduct an audit. Or "the great festivals of Islam have to be considered holidays?". To guide companies, the High Authority against Discrimination and for Equality (Halde) had issued a notice last March. In essence: the religious claims can be denied only where they penalize the service.Rules of procedure shall be invalidated by the courts if the headscarf banned without real reason. Since the association IMS-Business for the city, who gathered around Claude Bebear very large companies, held, also, to illuminate the subject with a guide. For applications beyond the working class now. "In banking, where the number of frames is important, there is a rise of religious claims. And in the automotive and construction, the question wins the administrative headquarters, "says Benjamin Blavier, IMS. This new visibility fueling fears of an escalation. "Soon, everyone will arrive with skullcaps, crosses and display Christ around the office," predicts an HRD to Dounia Bouzar."If I tolerate any application, it will grow," worries he.

The scarf is very badly perceived

If the anxiety is widely shared, the rules applied in the field vary widely. Paradoxically, Ramadan, though very visible, "is rather well accepted in the business" where he is something of cultural tradition, and say Lylia Dounia Bouzar. In the construction sector, "the HRD are particularly concerned about the risk of accidents because employees who do not eat are weakest. They usually adjust schedules when their employees are many practitioners, "say the authors. In retail, "long breaks" are provided to break the fast and not at noon. "The restaurant business is open later and offers halal soup, milk and fruit, a kind of vital smic what 'reflects an official.However, some executives of North African origin regret communautarisation facies: "I am an atheist. Yet, I always offer to leave earlier, "protested Faycal. "It's like you said, today we commemorate the ascent of Jesus to heaven so we all end up to 15 hours."

If Ramadan is tolerated, prayer in the firm bristles, however most employees and managers. Symbolically, pray at work seems like an act of "proselytizing." "The prayer is at home," repeated most of the respondents. "There is no question he asks while others bossent, a senior judge. While elsewhere, ignites an employee: "Why do we let pray while I was refused a development schedule to pick up my child in the manger."

In large companies, prayer rooms have been created yet.Especially in the automotive industry. A French manufacturer has even built changing rooms. Conversely, a large Japanese brand "to the employee to sign an undertaking not to practice his religion on his place of work" in defiance of law, "said Dounia Bouzar.

As for the headscarf, it is still very poorly understood. Except for junior positions, companies would like the outlaw. But the case back "to the criteria of common law," says the anthropologist. "The mere contact with the customer does not prohibit the headscarf." We must demonstrate that it contradicts the rules of safety, it can hurt the convictions of the entourage that night or the performance or commercial interest.The general management rules, which apply to religious demands.

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A decline in new listings in unemployment in the United States and the optimistic forecasts of telecoms equipment manufacturer Cisco has propelled the Dow Jones-immediately above the 10,000 points, a day before the report on employment in October the government. The flagship index of the NYSE is 2.08% at 10,006 points and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.40% to 2105 points.

New entries in weekly unemployment in the United States declined to 512,000 new applications for benefits, while analysts predicted 522,000. Moreover, the productivity of U.S. companies (excluding agriculture) increased in the third quarter, 9.5% annual rate. It is the largest increase in six years. The market expected a 6.3% increase. These publications, better than expected, reassured investors.

On Wednesday, the Dow Jones gained 0.31% Wednesday, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.09%.

Summary of values

Net earnings from Cisco down 15% in first quarter (ended in late October), $ 2.1 billion. The group said however that he thought back to growth of its business to the next quarter.

Qualcomm posted a profit of $ 803 million in the fourth quarter, down 9%.

Microsoft will cut 800 additional positions, plus the 5,000 announced in January. These cuts will take place in the world.

The media group News Corporation has announced a profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 of $ 571 million. Earnings per share amounted to 22 cents against 18 cents expected by analysts.

JPMorgan has an agreement with the regulator of financial markets, the SEC, to terminate proceedings in a case of influence peddling to local elected officials in the United States.JPMorgan will pay $ 25 million and 50 million dollars to the local authority, county of Jefferson.

The Iraqi Oil Ministry has awarded Thursday to a consortium led by Exxon Mobil exploitation of oil field west Qourna-1.

Research in Motion announced a buyback program of action for an amount up to $ 1.2 billion. It will start on November 9th and will be valid for a period of twelve months.