Strike announced at 200 service stations, TotalEnergies faces soaring fuel prices

A strike is expected Friday at nearly 200 service stations operated by Argedis, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, called by the CGT union. The union is denouncing management's lack of a satisfactory response to the continued rise in fuel prices, which is putting a heavy strain on employees' budgets.

At the heart of the conflict is the demand for financial assistance to compensate for these expenses, which, according to the CGT union, have become "unsustainable" for a large proportion of employees. Some workers reportedly spend up to 400 euros per month on fuel to get to work, despite net salaries of around 1.600 euros.

A proposal deemed insufficient

Management proposed a monthly bonus of between €15 and €40, adjusted according to commute length. This offer was immediately rejected by the union, which deemed it woefully inadequate given the scale of the costs incurred. The action could lead to blockades of service stations, particularly on the eve of the summer holidays in the Île-de-France region, a crucial period for the group. The CGT union also emphasized that the influx of customers, linked to price-capping policies, is increasing the workload without adequate compensation.

This mobilization comes amid high energy price volatility, fueled by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. It highlights the growing difficulties faced by workers in the sector, who are on the front lines of the crisis. For the time being, TotalEnergies management has not publicly responded to this strike call, leaving uncertainty surrounding the true extent of the movement and its impact on supply.