Total To Cut 309 Refinery Jobs,306 At Petrochemical Operations-Union

French oil major Total SA (TOT) plans to cut 309 jobs at its refineries in the country and 306 in its petrochemical operations, the CGT union said Tuesday.

The union said in a statement the plan was presented Tuesday by Total during a meeting with employee representatives.

Total's refinery plan entails no layoffs, the union said.

The union said capacity at Total's Normandy refinery would drop to 11.6 million metric tons a year from 16.3 million tons a year. CGT said the plan also entails the implementation at other French refineries of cost reduction targets to reduce the production of gas.

The CGT renewed the call for a 24-hour strike on March 19 at Total's refineries to oppose the restructuring.

Company Web site: www.total.com

-By Alice Dore, Dow Jones Newswires; [phone]; [e-mail]