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Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne announced the requisition of essential personnel at Esso-ExxonMobil refineries and fuel depots, a rare move that forces workers to return to work and end the paralysis. The CGT and FO unions maintained the blockade demanding higher wage increases and ensure that fuel companies are earning significant exceptional profits due to the energy crisis in Europe.
The Government of Emmanuel Macron announced this Tuesday, October 11, that essential workers must return to their jobs in Esso-ExxonMobil refineries and warehouses and end a strike that has aggravated fuel shortages.
On Monday, unions representing the majority of employees at Esso – a subsidiary of US giant ExxonMobil – had reached a wage agreement with management, but the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) and Fuerza Obrera (FO) unions, the most large in most refineries, chose to maintain the blockade.
“I asked the prefects to initiate (…) the procedure for requisitioning the essential personnel for the operation of this company’s warehouses,” announced Borne, during the session of questions to the government in the National Assembly.
The prime minister justified the unusual administrative obligation to return to work because “the announcements by (Esso) management are significant.” “Social dialogue means moving forward once a majority has emerged,” she stressed.
At the end of September, employees of several Esso-ExxonMobile and TotalEnergies refineries and warehouses began a strike to demand better wages, causing fuel shortages in about 30% of the country’s gas stations, according to the latest official figures.
Long lines of vehicles looking to refuel have been seen throughout the country, but it is increasingly common to find restricted or completely closed service stations.
Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy and Finance, had assured this Tuesday that “this situation has lasted too long” so if an agreement is not reached. For the official, “the blockade of the country is unacceptable” and citizens “do not have to be victims” of the situation.
The CGT threatens “a war” against government intervention
Before the French government’s measure became known, Emanuel Lepine, energy representative of the CGT, had warned that the activation of the requisition could widen the conflict.
“I can guarantee you that it will be a war. If (French President Emmanuel) Macron wants this to spread to other parts of the economy, let him do it,” he told Radio France Info.
This intention was ratified in a statement published by the CGT after learning of Borne’s decision. In the text, the workers’ union called for action in other companies and economic sectors to “amplify the struggle.”
For the CGT and FO, an increase in wages is necessary. They assure that the refineries obtain billions of euros in exceptional profits due to the current energy context, marked by the sanctions against Russia.
Diesel imports increased more than 70% in October
Meanwhile, official data indicates that diesel imports have increased by 70% so far in October, compared to the entire month of September. The increase is motivated precisely by the strikes that have generated a shortage of this fuel.
The analysis firm Vortexa indicated that between October 1 and 10, 590,000 barrels of diesel per day had to be imported, 37% more than the levels of the same month in 2021 and the highest figure since 2016.
Strikes and emergency maintenance have affected more than 60% of refinery capacity in France, prompting the country to import diesel mainly from India and South Korea.
With EFE and Reuters
