It is an entire fuel distribution network that is affected by the strike movements within the French refineries. In total, five sites have been closed for several days due to lockdowns decided by unions demanding wage increases in line with inflation. On the TotalEnergies side, which identifies three affected refineries, these claims are motivated in particular by the large profits recorded by the oil giant in 2022 thanks to the rise in prices at the pump.
Esso’s two refineries, Port-Jérôme-Gravenchon (Seine-Maritime) and Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône), have been closed since September 26 after the failure of the first annual negotiations at the request of the unions . The management failed to collect two of them, validating their offer of a 6.5% salary increase accompanied by a bonus of 3,000 euros for the year 2023.
A production loss offset by the Esso refinery
The situation continues to aggravate the disturbances in the supply of fuel, already under pressure after the discounts accumulated by the government and TotalEnergies. With a total value of 50 cents per liter from September 1 to October 31, they offer a particularly attractive price that causes a real fever in the French company’s stations.
The problem is similar for Esso, which, although it does not offer discounts, usually shows competitive rates.
use of imports
The problem is that these refineries not only supply their own network of gas stations but also the locations of large and medium-sized stores such as Leclerc, Système U or Casino. Michel-Edouard Leclerc wanted his company to also benefit from the bonus established by TotalEnergies at which he bought his fuel.
In Pas-de-Calais, in Méricourt, the management of the local Intermarché has chosen to open its station only at night to avoid crowds.
Still, these big retailers are also forced to look for alternatives to avoid the risk of shortages on their sites. “They must resort, like the rest of the market, to imports,” estimates the French Union of Oil, Energy and Mobility Industries (Ufip EM), which adds that the refineries also have available stock.
Source: BFM TV
