DUNKERQUE, France, Feb 2, 2010 (AFP) - Workers at a northern France oil refinery on Tuesday extended a three-week-old strike even though the owners, Total, have postponed a decision on whether to close the facility, union officials said.
    The future of the Flanders refinery near the port of Dunkerque has become a hot political issue since the government intervened to press Total to keep it open. The oil giant has now delayed a decision until the end of June.
    "Leaving people to wait six months is scandalous, its an insult to everyone," said SUD union delegate Philippe Wuyllens at a meeting after the strike started on January 12 was extended.
    Total has cited a decline in sales of refined products for its decision to halt operations at the refinery, which employs 370 people directly and 450 sub-contractors.
    It is one of six refineries run by Total in France.
    Total has said that if Flanders is closed it will set up a technical assistance centre and a training school that would employ up to two thirds of the 370 full time workers.