France: Severe fuel shortages after two weeks of strikes at refineries

France’s CGT union began talks this morning with strikers at the TotalEnergies group, who are continuing their strike with pay demands, to decide whether or not to continue after almost two weeks.

Under pressure from the government, which is concerned about shortages seen at a significant number of petrol stations, TotalEnergies yesterday proposed that workers begin annual wage negotiations on the condition that blockades of its refineries and depots be ended. Esso-ExxonMobil, the other oil group affected, is also expected to meet with unions today.

For their part, the workers appear cautious and are waiting for a meeting of the unions in order to decide whether to continue the strike mobilizations or not. “As no definitive position has been taken with the strikers, we have not spoken to them, the movement will continue,” said Eric Cellini, CGT coordinator for the TotalEnergies group. “Are we going to meet with each other and decide whether to proceed pending a date and firm commitments? Will we suspend (the protests) during the negotiations? All options are on the table, the strikers will be the ones to decide,” he concluded

As announced by the CGT union and with regard to Esso-ExxonMobil, the strikers resumed their mobilizations early this morning, until they are informed of the results of the meeting,

The social movement at refineries and fuel depots in France is creating supply problems for drivers in the country. Yesterday afternoon, 29.7% of the country’s gas stations faced a shortage of at least one fuel, according to the Ministry of Energy Transition.

The situation was particularly bad in the Haut-de-France region in northern France, where 54.8% of service stations were short of at least one fuel, and in the Paris region (44.9%).

RES-EMP

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