Signs of a breakthrough have emerged in a strike that has shuttered refineries around France and caused scattered gasoline shortages.

Workers at facilities run by ExxonMobil Corp. have abandoned a strike at a depot on the English Channel and plans for a walkout at a major refinery nearby. Union organizer Laurent Delaunay says the decision came at a vote Tuesday.

Charles Foulard of the CGT union says oil company Total SA "appears ready" to maintain refining activities at a plant at the heart of the strike. Total met with unions Tuesday.

He says Total workers will not call off the strike yet, pending further discussions on the future of refining in France.