Shell's Dutch employees win pension concessions

A four-day strike at several Shell plants in the Netherlands has forced the petrochemicals company to make concessions on its pension plans.

Shell wanted to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65 as well as forcing staff to contribute to the cost of pensions. Unions argued that these changes were unnecessary given the company's high profits.

After a year's negotiation, the strike began on 31 October, shutting down Europe's largest refinery at Pernis in Rotterdam. On the strike's third day, the two sides resumed talks, and an agreement in principle was reached on 3 November.

Under the agreement, the normal retirement age will increase to 65, although it will still be possible to retire at 60. Shell will contribute an additional 3% in respect of both current and future staff to pay for arrangements allowing shorter lifetime working, with a further 3.5% for current employees.

In return, employees will make a 2% contribution to pensions and can choose to contribute up to two days of additional leave - resulting from cuts in working time not taken on a weekly basis - to the shorter lifetime working arrangements.