Shell Australia resumes talks with union

Employees at Royal Dutch Shell P.L.C.’s Australian unit rejected a three-year deal proposed by the company’s management. As such, the company has resumed talks with the union representing the operators at Shell Australia’s Clyde refinery in the east coast of Sydney. The two parties said they are negotiating a new deal on pay and working conditions for the refinery’s 150 employees. The revival of the talks may mean that the refinery’s already prolonged shutdown will be further extended. It was temporarily shut down in November 2008 for upgrades and repairs and along with the Gore Bay terminal on Sydney harbor, has been operating as an import facility. (February 24, 2009)