Pensions: the CGT does not rule out “stops” at refineries next week

The CGT reiterated this Tuesday its desire to continue with its mobilization in the refineries on February 6, 7 and 8, against the pension reform project, which could go through “a closure” of certain sites, while the school holidays, said Eric Sellini, coordinator of TotalEnergies.

“The crucial moment will be next week”, says Eric Sellini interviewed by AFP in the Parisian procession of the second national interprofessional demonstration against the pension reform. Various federations of the CGT, such as energy or chemistry (refineries), have already stated their desire to register the movement on time, even if it means toughening it up.

New strikes are already expected from Monday to Wednesday in the refineries, in full school holidays that will have started on February 4 for zone A (which includes Lyon and Bordeaux). “This is where we will see if the change is made or not, if the employees are ready to follow us in the renewal motto,” explains Eric Sellini, whose union led the hard-hitting strike at TotalEnergies refineries in the fall, which led to a Major shortages at service stations across the country. This renewal will be put to the vote of the employees in a general assembly next week.

Affect the French economy

“For the strike to continue beyond February 8, the other services must take the necessary measures”, which requires “a stoppage of the facilities”, stressed Eric Sellini. “The crux of a refinery is the shipping department,” which allows fuel to be transported to the pump. “It’s not sporadic days,” like January 19 or 26, “that are going to change the situation,” he says. “We are almost convinced that if there is no significant impact on the economy, there will be no change in the government’s course of action,” he added.

For the time being, the TotalEnergies strike was followed on Tuesday by 55% of the morning shift workforce (compared to 65% on January 19), according to management. The CGT had, after the noon shift changes, 90% strikers at the Normandy refinery, 85% strikers at the Donges refinery near Saint-Nazaire and 50% strikers at the Flanders warehouse. “Product shipments from TotalEnergies sites are interrupted today, but TotalEnergies will continue to supply its network of service stations and its customers,” management said Tuesday morning.