TotalEnergies union CGT calls for nationwide strike on October 8
The CGT union at French energy group TotalEnergies has called for a strike across all company sites on October 8, protesting worsening working conditions and demanding higher wages.
Strike call
The CGT union at French oil and energy group TotalEnergies announced on Wednesday a call for a strike on October 8 "across all the group's sites," including refineries and some fuel stations. The action targets jobs and wages, according to Le Figaro and RMC.
Possible consequences
According to CGT group coordinator Eric Sellini, the strike could result in halted fuel shipments from refineries or closures of service stations, depending on worker turnout and locally decided arrangements. The call was issued three weeks ahead of the planned date, at a time when France is experiencing fuel supply difficulties linked to the war in the Middle East, as well as to a price cap TotalEnergies imposed at its own stations, which triggered a rush of drivers seeking cheaper fuel amid sharply rising oil prices.
Working conditions and pay
The CGT says staff, particularly at refineries, are working under increased pressure amid a growing reliance on temporary and fixed-term workers, which the union says also affects safety. RMC quotes Sellini describing recruitment difficulties and cases where staff shortages force employees to work 12 to 16 hours straight. A union leaflet seen by AFP states that working conditions have been continuously deteriorating, worsening further during heatwaves. Employees of TotalEnergies subsidiary Hutchinson, which makes rubber products and industrial seals, are also being called to join the strike.
Fuel stations
Employees of subsidiary Argedis, which operates TotalEnergies fuel stations mainly along highways, are also being called to strike — Le Figaro puts the number of stations at around 180, while RMC cites around 200. Some of these stations already went on strike in spring, demanding help with fuel costs amid rising prices. According to RMC, this is the second strike call in six months.
Union demands
The CGT says many employees at subsidiaries receive the CAF in-work benefit because their wages are no longer sufficient to cope with the rising cost of living. Sellini said that when it comes to wage demands, the reference point now is the increases granted to shareholders — TotalEnergies announced a 5.6% rise in dividends to shareholders when it published its 2025 results.
