A strike at TotalEnergies and Esso-ExxonMobil refineries in France led to fuel shortages and gas station closures. Today, not all types of fuel were available at about a third of gas stations in the country.
Long lines at gas stations
Especially in the Paris metropolitan area, there were long lines in front of gas stations. Government spokesman Olivier Veran called for an end to the lockdowns and threatened to have officials on duty if necessary.
The CGT union is demanding 10% more pay from energy company TotalEnergies, which made a profit of $10.6 billion in the first half of 2022. So far, the company has only offered to bring negotiations forward from November to October. , on condition that the strike ends. The union called this “blackmail”.
Appeals against hoarding
Energy Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher urged drivers not to fill cans. This will exacerbate the shortage. A maximum limit of 30 liters of fuel was imposed in several departments.