To fight against the adoption of the pension reform, the CGT Petroleum called for a strike and the shutdown of refineries “if necessary” on January 19 and 26 and for February 6 next.
Towards a new blockage of refineries like last fall? In a communicated shared by Eric Sellini on social media, the union’s national coordinator for TotalEnergies shared several dates of refinery strikes. Strikes have indeed been announced, on January 19 and 26 as well as on February 6, announced as renewable “with if necessary, the shutdown of the refining installations”. In the FNIC-CGT press release, the union warns that “oil workers will be present in the struggle”.
The FNIC-CGT, the chemical industries union wants to fight the pension reform, deemed “illegitimate” and “unacceptable”. The union has proposed to finance pensions to “solicit profits, in particular from multinationals”. The letter also called on the French to remain critical of future government announcements to “discredit” the movement. The union denounces the working conditions in which they operate: “Oil workers are subject to hardship, night shifts, exposure to hazardous materials, with ultimately a shortened life; they refuse to work longer to force-feed the shareholders” denounced the union.
The government for its part recalled that the right to strike and the right to demonstrate were constitutional but that it was important “not to penalize the French”, warned the Prime Minister, AFP reported.
When will the strikes take place?
The statement warns that these strikes, if followed, will affect all production sites but also distribution. So far three dates have been set. The mobilization could spread because the strike is “renewable” and although the stoppage of the refineries is not envisaged for the moment, the union warns that it could if the movement gains momentum.
- 24-hour strike, January 19
- 48-hour strike, January 26
- 72-hour strike, February 6
The latest refinery strike, which had immobilized many motorists last fall, had lasted several weeks to demand better working conditions and a wage increase. This new action by the unions could lead to further disruption for motorists. For the moment, these days of strikes are staggered over time and should not have the same impact as in 2022. However, the blocking of refinery sites is a hypothesis considered by the CGT.