social dialogue
France endures continued paralysis and blockages at multiple refineries and fuel storage sites as strikes persist this Friday, despite a deal brokered between TotalEnergies and several unions that has not received government approval. The General Labor Confederation CGT leads the walkout that began two weeks ago.
In an interview with France Info this morning, Philippe Martinez, secretary general of the CGT, rejected the morning deal reached between TotalEnergies and the two majority unions, CFDT and CFE-CGC. The proposed salary increase is not enough to meet the union goal of a 10 percent overall rise.
Martinez explained that the text implies management would accept an overall 5 percent salary increase, while the union is demanding a 10 percent rise to offset inflation and to ensure workers share in the company’s prosperity through benefits, boosts for individual performance, and seniority pay. These details reflect ongoing tensions over how gains should be distributed.
“Right now 5 percent is far from 10 percent, just half of the target,” the CGT’s primary leader stated. The willingness to continue talks despite days of resistance stems from a broad and powerful strike presence among workers.
This morning, workers’ assemblies affirmed the decision to keep the strikes at TotalEnergies refineries, while two ExxonMobil sites chose to return to work. Yet developments could shift in the hours ahead as the situation evolves.
In a separate interview with LCI, Energy Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher urged unions to keep negotiations alive, arguing that social dialogue remains the sole path forward. The minister noted that government‑backed mobilizations have been targeted and selective, with the aim of maintaining fuel supply at the highest possible level.
No deal with TotalEnergies
It is noted that a significant proportion of fuel stations faced shortages on Thursday afternoon, with 29.1 percent of service points reporting limited or no fuel in the country. Depending on the department, many queues at stocked stations exceeded an hour of waiting time, a situation that has heightened public frustration and concern about supplies.
Pannier-Runacher reiterated the urgency of securing a majority agreement within the next hours to bring this conflict to a resolution and to safeguard Macron’s government standing amid growing domestic pressure.
The dispute has the potential to widen, with unions planning additional strikes across sectors, including calls for wage increases in public administrations next Tuesday. This broader mobilization would aim to counter inflation and maintain purchasing power for workers across the economy.
Some observers, including Martinez, warned that the stance of participants could lead to extended and intensified action in the coming days. Ahead of the most recent protests, La France Insoumise organized a major demonstration in Paris focused on rising living costs, though the unions did not participate in that particular rally.