Endless queues and dry stations. Barely over, this fall’s fuel shortage could become a reality again. At issue: pension reform. The representatives of the eight main trade union organizations called together for mobilization on Thursday 19 January. Among them, the oil branch of the CGT.
The movement will begin with a first work stoppage this Thursday, with “if necessary, the shutdown of refining facilities”, details a press release issued by Eric Sellini, national coordinator of the union for TotalEnergies. The appeal will result in “throughput drops” and “stopping of shipments”. Specifically, it will last 24 hours on January 19, 48 hours on January 26, and 72 hours on February 6.
If the refineries are blocked, should we expect a new shortage of fuels? “Not for the moment”, assures L’Express Jacques Percebois, economist specializing in energy issues. “Fortunately, we have stocks.”
No shortage…
Before becoming fuel, crude oil is imported by sea. It is then transported to one of the eight French refineries, which transforms it into gasoline, or kerosene. But this production is not done day by day: the State theoretically has three months of “strategic stocks” to supply service stations.
“There will be a shortage if we prevent trucks from restocking,” explains Jacques Percebois. “Or if the movement is renewed again and again, but that we cannot predict before the 19th.”
For its part, the government wants to be reassuring. Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Energy Transition, recalled on franceinfo that “fuel stocks exist and have been replenished”. “We are not at all in the situation of last fall,” she added.
… for the moment
If it is therefore too early to speak of a shortage, the fears are there. Gas stations already evoke a larger crowd than usual. Jacques Percebois also identifies a “precautionary reflex”: for fear of missing out, motorists rush to the pump.
But this behavior is likely to create tensions. “Those who will fill up as a precaution will hurt us more quickly than expected”, explained on France Bleu Francis Pousse, president of service stations and new energies at Mobilians. “I call once again on the population for calm.”
At the same time, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne urged the unions “not to penalize the French”. The CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa, Solidaires and the FSU will meet together in the street on January 19 for the first time in twelve years.