TotalEnergies proposes wage negotiations with unions to end fuel depot blockades

Issue of: September 10, 2022 – 19:12

The boss of Total Energies said on Sunday that it would proceed with annual wage negotiations with unions if it lifted the blockades on fuel depots and refineries that have led to a shortage of gasoline supplies across France.

Car owners are facing increasingly long waits to fill their tanks after a 10-day strike by workers demanding higher wages in response to soaring prices.

Agnès Panier-Lunacher, France’s minister for the energy transition, said the TotalEnergies proposal was a step in the right direction.

“We have to find a solution without delay,” she added. “The French people must no longer suffer the consequences of the labor movement. This controversy must end.”

total energy It operates approximately 3,500 petrol stations in France.most of them are out of fuel or even empty for some types.

“Once the depot lockdown is over and all workers’ representatives agree, the company is proposing to proceed with salary negotiations through November-October,” Total Energies said.

On Sunday, TotalEnergies and Esso-ExxonMobil’s CGT union chapter, which is leading the strike, said industrial action would continue, but started negotiations on Monday.

“If we start negotiating, it will be based on our request: a 10% salary increase retroactively to 2022,” said branch coordinator Eric Serini.

Three of Total’s refineries have been blocked, including the largest refinery in Normandy and a fuel depot near Flanders in the north.

assistance

The government has been dwindling its stockpile to bring relief.Fuel tankers were dispatched on Sunday to refill petrol stations.

When she arrived in Algiers, the prime minister Elizabeth Bourne She said she is being kept abreast of the progress of the line.

“The situation will improve during the week,” she added. “We are releasing strategic inventories of fuel to supply gas stations and these deliveries are gradually arriving.”