French refinery workers stand firm on strike action

Workers at ExxonMobil's two French refineries are vowing to continue the industrial action they began last week as wage talks with management have yet to yield a breakthrough. Meanwhile, staff at TotalEnergies' three refineries in France have begun a three-day walkout as part of their own pay dispute.

France's CGT trade union said talks with ExxonMobil management yesterday proved fruitless. The company presented a slightly amended pay offer to workers, but the CGT called the proposal "indecent", saying it favours those on larger salaries and cuts wage increases for the less well paid.

"The strike is continuing, and we do not know when it will end," the union said. A strike fund is being set up including a facility to make online payments, it added.

Now in its eighth day, the industrial action has forced the closure of ExxonMobil's 133,000 b/d Fos and 236,000 b/d Port Jerome refineries, along with the Gravenchon petrochemical plant adjacent to Port Jerome. Separately, workers at TotalEnergies' 246,900 b/d Gonfreville, 109,300 b/d Feyzin and 219,000 b/d Donges refineries have gone on strike today, also in a dispute over wages. No oil products are leaving the three refineries, according to the CGT. Feyzin was already shut for unplanned repair works following a fire.

Workers at TotalEnergies' 500,000 t/yr hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) plant at La Mede are also on strike, and no products are leaving there either. The CGT said its members will continue their industrial action at TotalEnergies' sites until 29 September.

"Refineries throughout France are on strike and we are blocking supplies. Queues at the pumps are starting to happen everywhere," the union said.

TotalEnergies, which is getting ready to present its annual strategy briefing to investors tomorrow, has yet to respond to queries on the industrial action.

By Adam Porter