An eleventh hour wage settlement by petroleum companies and workers has averted a scheduled strike by 5,500 members of Belgian trade unions. Sectoral bargaining in Belgium’s energy sector had hit a standstill and was heading to a 10 May strike, before trade unions and industry representations reached accord late last week.

Workers are now studying the proposal and are expected to vote on the offer soon.

ExxonMobil and Total refineries near Antwerp would have been severely affected, and the industry association predicted a crippling supply and transport problem of 700,000 barrels per day if the strike had happened. It predicted fuel pump increases and shortages.

Other oil and petro-chemical operations attached to Belgium’s employers’ association also would have been affected.

The major oil refiners and some others had begun decreasing production in late April to order to guarantee safe and secure shutdowns in the event of a strike.