French government orders fuel depot strikers back to work amid union showdown

The French government has ordered some fuel depot strikers back to work, risking a bigger row with unions as it tries to secure petrol supplies.

The energy ministry said it was requisitioning a number of staff at the Gravenchon-Port Jerome depot run by Exxon’s Esso France business, where the hardline CGT union remains on strike despite a pay deal with other unions.

The industrial action has hit refining and delivery, and comes as unions seek wage increases to help workers cope with surging inflation and a cost of living crisis.

Although the right to strike is enshrined in the country’s constitution, the government can requisition a minimum number of staff needed to sustain a service in certain circumstances.

The CGT said it would challenge the orders in court once it had received the notifications.

Government spokesman Olivier Veran said the situation had become “unbearable” and the requisitions should lead to a “very marked improvement… in the coming days”.

He warned that the government could also requisition staff at the TotalEnergies depot in Dunkirk, northern France, where the CGT is also on strike.

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Mr Veran added that the orders would only take place when there was no dialogue between unions and management.

Government sources said it only needs to order about 15 to 20 people back to work to get the depots operating again, which can be achieved by requisitioning non-striking workers and providing protection from pickets.

Staff walkouts would continue at the Gravenchon-Port Jerome depot in northern France, CGT union representative Thierry Defresne said after a meeting with management.

Strike action and unplanned maintenance have taken more than 60% of France’s refining capacity offline, causing long queues at French service stations and rationing in some regions.

Mr Defresne said: “Management has asked us to at least allow the resumption of deliveries of available fuel products, even if the refineries remain halted.” He added that the CGT would now discuss next steps with workers.

ExxonMobil has agreed a deal with two leading unions for a 6.5% salary hike in 2023, but the CGT, which is demanding a 10% pay rise, has rejected the agreement.

TotalEnergies remains deadlocked with unions.

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