During a wave of disruptions linked to strikes and refinery occupations, fuel supplies and station availability in France have been under pressure. Unions have signalled a substantial protest plan for the coming Tuesday, the 18th, promising a major professional mobilization to defend the right to strike and to draw attention to wage and energy issues that affect workers across multiple sectors.
Organizers stopped short of naming a general strike, yet they signalled that such a historic moment could come someday, emphasizing that the day would be a clear turning point in the labour movement. Support for the mobilization spans several unions, including CGT, Force Ouvrière, Solidaires, and FSU, all inviting wage earners from diverse industries to participate in the action and show solidarity with refinery workers and others affected by shifts in energy policy and labour conditions.
The demonstrations focus on the government’s approach to the shutdowns at various refineries and the attempt to compel worker participation in operations during these critical periods. The protests are aimed at pressuring policymakers to reassess the balance between industrial resilience and worker rights, particularly in relation to essential energy infrastructure and the conditions under which staff can be mobilized during periods of national need.
At present, four of the seven French refineries are experiencing a strike promoted by CGT, reflecting broader concerns about pay and inflation. Wage proposals discussed in the public dialogue include a 10% increase, divided into a 7% raise to counteract inflation and an additional 3% earmarked for profit-sharing or redistribution within the sector. These figures illustrate the ongoing push to align compensation with living costs and corporate profitability amid volatile energy markets.
Looking at the corporate side, TotalEnergies reported substantial profits in the first half of the year, driven in part by higher oil and gas prices linked to geopolitical tensions and sanctions affecting Russia. This financial performance is frequently referenced in discussions about the fairness of wage settlements and the distribution of profits during periods of supply disruption and market uncertainty.
Government data on fuel availability shows a concerning drop in gas stations reporting empty shelves as the strike began on September 27. The share of out-of-service or seriously limited stations stood at 29.1% across the country. While the overall rate has edged down in some areas, the impact remains uneven, with certain regions bearing a heavier burden than others.
Regional analysis reveals the most affected zones include the Paris metropolitan area, where the incidence of empty stations was near 38.8%, and Hauts-de-France, with around 31.7% affected. The Centre-Val de Loire region reported a higher figure, with 41.2% of stations reporting shortages or disruptions at certain points in the mobilization. The pattern underscores how supply disruptions can unevenly affect travel, logistics, and daily routines across different parts of the country, even as nationwide efforts to resume normal operations continue.