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The SGC of the oil industry, the majority, urged employees of the 13 refineries in the French strike Thursday, April 15, when a national roundtable on the future of refining in France, the union said in a statement Wednesday.

The union claims a "refining industry to serve the economic needs and the country's social and employment areas.

The panel of 15 April under the aegis of government, was obtained during the strike a week for employees of Total's refining industry in late February.

The Total Group announced Monday the end of its refining operations in Dunkirk, one of its six refineries in France, while maintaining the 370 jobs at the site through industrial restructuring, considered insufficient by the employees.

On Tuesday, employees of the refinery had planned to launch a new appeal for solidarity from other refineries in France group.

Total number of unions are to meet Thursday to take a common position.

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The French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis and the U.S. Merck in a statement announcing the creation of a joint venture in animal health. Owned equally between the two groups, it is destined to become the world's number one industry with a combined turnover of approximately $ 5.3 billion, or 29% of the market.

Since July 29, 2009 and redeemed for $ 4 billion of Merck's participation in their previous joint venture Merial, Sanofi-Aventis had an option to meet with Merial, Intervet Schering-Plow Animal Health Division in the born merger between Merck and Schering Plow.

The deal values Merial to 8 billion dollars and Intervet Schering-Plow 8.5 billion.It already cost at Sanofi-Aventis 250 million dollars to establish an equal joint venture with Merck, and 750 million under the agreement of July 2009 the statement said.

The formation of this joint venture is subject to completion of definitive agreements, review by competition authorities in the United States, Europe and other countries . The completion of the transaction is expected during the next 12 months. Pending completion of the transaction, Merial and Intervet Schering-Plow continue to work independently.

The market for animal health has reached 19 billion dollars in 2008. Products for pets represent 40% of the market and 60% for animal production.The growth of this market should be about 5% per year during the next 5 years, supported by a growing demand for animal protein, and by the substantial need for care for pets.

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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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Medica may blow. While markets remain subdued, the specialist retirement home announced Tuesday in a statement that its IPO has been "a success". French institutional investors and international were to rendezvous with a subscription offer for about three times its original size. The offer to individuals attracted 7500 orders. Among these, the group's employees have answered the call. Nearly 3,000 of them participated in the operation.

The group welcomes this performance, "in market conditions very difficult." It must be said that Medica had significantly lowered the price of its shares, offering 13 euros instead of 16 or 19.50 euros expected in a first instant payday loans .

The gross proceeds from the offering price and the open global placement represents approximately 255 million euros."In the event that the option of over-allotment is exercised in full, and would offer an amount of about 293 million euros, a figure of 22,530 shares representing approximately 47% of capital and human Group voting Medica, "the statement said.

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After the sharp market downturn in Paris last weekend, with the Cac 40 lost nearly 7% in 48 hours, and the misdirection of Asian Awards on Monday, investors in Paris should be cautious again. The future of the CAC 40 index was down 1.27% at 3563 points.

On the macroeconomic front, there will be no major indicator of both sides of the Atlantic, if not the economic survey of the Bank of France on the growth of France in the first quarter 2010.

Values follow

The year 2010 will be tougher than 2009 for the Franco-Belgian bank Dexia is the acceleration of the implementation of its restructuring plan which has received the green light from Brussels, said Sunday the group managing director .

EDF and Areva announced late Friday it reached an agreement on the processing of uranium used in nuclear power plants of the electrician, an issue at the heart of a dispute between the two groups for several weeks. The CEO of EADS, Louis Welsh said in Munich last Saturday he expected a "clarification" on the financing of additional costs for the Airbus A400M military "before the end of next week" Payday advance .

GDF Suez could revise its bid for International Power Plc, particularly the terms of its offer in cash, reports the Independent on Sunday, citing sources close to the French group.

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) has asked for new commitments in Belvedere in the case of warrants, which in recent weeks between the group of spirits to the Association for the Defense of Minority Shareholders (ADAM).

Bongrain has reported revenues down 7.4% on a comparable basis in 2009, affected by unfavorable economic environment.

Eiffage managed to stabilize its sales in 2009 thanks to a rebound in activity in the fourth quarter.

Several publications of companies are expected on Monday: Altran Technologies, pre-market Unibail Rodamco, after-hours trading, Le Noble Age and Devoteam. Faurecia brings an extraordinary general meeting regarding the capital increase related to the repurchase of Emcon.

After several weeks of reflection, the verdict has finally fallen on the new method of fixing gas prices. The Ministry of Economy, which was to maneuver, just send the document to refer to the Regulatory Commission of Energy (CRE), for entry under the next year, after the publication of a decree .

The government, which ruled until then every three months on possible changes in gas prices, trying to remove a little of the game, at least in appearance. It will no longer once per year, one component of overall framing of the price curve of the molecule. This scheme seeks to prevent the State to meet in full psychodrama whenever Bercy opts for a rise in gas prices.

So now the company, GDF Suez, which will seize the regulator for a rate increase.Which regulator, after watching whether the incumbent's request is consistent with the pricing formula, make a binding opinion. Until now, the opinion of the CRE in the record setting gas prices was only advisory. In the new scheme, the Commission will therefore pose a greater weight.

However, uncertainties remain. In particular, what happens if gas prices are indexed on oil prices should fall? In the reference document, it is not called GDF Suez to decide in what direction. Similarly, it does not ask the regulator to pressure the company to obtain a reduction in charges.

"Let's just common sense: since oil prices are public, they bend permanently, GDF Suez will be forced to seek lower fares.Or the group will draw the wrath of both consumers and government, "says an industry expert.

Psychodrama

So much for the new scheme, at least in theory, developed by the government with the approval of other partners, beginning with GDF Suez. It remains now to see how it will apply in practice. It is hard, in fact, the government remain inactive in the face several repeated hikes in gas prices. Especially during elections, where the energy bill is regularly found in the heart of debates.

In short, despite government efforts, it is feared that this new device does not put an end to psychodramas on gas prices.

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.

Surprises in the U.S., with two worrying statistics published in the real estate sector and make future dive on Wall Street. This sector is a particular followed by analysts, real estate is at the root of the crisis and each data is scrutinized.

To begin, starts of new homes fell 10.6% in October compared to September. They settle well to 529,000 annual rate, while analysts had forecast 600,000. Housing starts for September were revised to 592,000 against 590,000 in the first estimate. The key indicator to its lowest level since April, when he hit a record low.

Second blow, the building permit for their share fell 4% last month, to 552,000 units annualized, where analysts expected an increase, to 580,000.Compared to the same period last year, building permits fell by 24.3% and housing starts of 30.7%.