Since late September, France has witnessed a wave of protests prompted by the rising cost of living and the energy crisis linked to the war in Ukraine. This Tuesday marks the second cross-industry strike request aimed at securing wage growth to counter inflation.
The initial strike began on September 26, bringing disruption to refineries and fuel depots across the country and causing shortages at many gas stations.
On October 11, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced that fuel depot operators would be required to maintain operations at the Port-Jérôme Gravenchon facility in Normandy under the threat of legal consequences. A week later, after insisting that shortages were not widespread, President Emmanuel Macron intensified efforts to manage the strike, pushing for stability in fuel supplies in the northern regions.
1. What is the current situation?
France is observing a cross-industry strike day in response to inflation and wage pressures, particularly impacting public transport. Unions are calling for higher pay to offset rising living costs and criticizing the government’s handling of the refinery disruptions. The CGT leadership has demanded a minimum monthly salary of 2,000 euros, reflecting a 300-euro increase. France remains the EU economy with the second largest GDP but faced higher energy costs and concerns about purchasing power. Eurostat data place September inflation around 6.2 percent in France, below some peers yet still affecting household budgets. The mood is tense as energy-saving measures for winter loom large in the public conversation.
2. How is the situation at gas stations?
As of the latest Ministry of Energy Transition figures, roughly 30.1 percent of gas stations face fuel shortages. Disruptions intensified after October 5 and have persisted into the following weekends. The hardest hit areas include Hauts-de-France in the north, where about six in ten stations report shortages, and the greater Paris area with significant supply gaps.
The root cause lies in the ongoing strike actions by TotalEnergies and Esso Exon Mobil, now in their third week. Since September 26, workers have maintained blockades at several major refineries and depots, limiting access to key supply points. Compounded by precautionary stockpiling by drivers, distribution channels have faced ongoing challenges.
3. What are the demands of the unions?
Union negotiators are seeking a broad pay increase to offset inflation, arguing for a 10 percent raise for TotalEnergies employees and a 7.5 percent increase for Esso Exon Mobil staff. They point to record profits reported by the energy sector and contend that workers deserve a fair share of the profits generated during the crisis. In early results, net profits in the first half of the year exceeded ten billion euros for the major groups in France, fueling public debate about fairness and energy policy.
Leaders of the striking unions indicate a willingness to accept higher salaries but not at the levels demanded by the most vocal groups. Some moderate unions have begun talks, but more militant factions remain steadfast in their stance.
4. What measures has the French Government taken?
The government initially sought quiet diplomacy to ease tensions during a fragile autumn marked by inflation and energy concerns. Spokespersons argued that there was no shortage risk. Within days, authorities shifted to a firmer stance, ordering fuel facilities to stay operational and compelling operators to support fuel delivery. The approach reflects a broader push to secure energy supply while balancing labor pressures.
5. How does it affect drivers?
The fuel shortages created long lines at stations and occasional price spikes. Prices rose from earlier levels, moving higher after subsidies were announced, and some towns in the Paris region reported interruptions to essential services including school transport. Moments of tension among drivers also surfaced, highlighting the high stakes of the supply disruptions for everyday life.
In this climate, the country continues to monitor developments as negotiators seek a pathway that preserves energy security while addressing the concerns of workers and households alike. Stilts of uncertainty remain as both sides evaluate potential compromises and the broader economic implications of the strikes.