The CGT union at Argedis, a TotalEnergies subsidiary managing around 200 service stations, has called for a strike on Friday ahead of holiday departures in Île-de-France. The union demands fuel payment assistance amid soaring prices. Management declined to comment at this stage.
The CGT at Argedis, operating about 200 TotalEnergies service stations including on highways, has urged employees to strike on Friday. The action comes as fuel prices have surged since the Middle East war began late February.
"Fuel has become very expensive, so we asked Total for aid and they said no. We tried to negotiate, but nothing worked, so we're striking tomorrow," Djamila, a CGT union delegate, told AFP.
In the latest talks, management offered a fuel bonus of 15 to 40 euros per month based on home-to-work distance, dismissed as "crumbs" by the union. The CGT calls for station "blockades" and notes extra workload from TotalEnergies' price caps drawing crowds of drivers.
For nearly 80% of Argedis staff, monthly fuel costs hit 400 euros against a net salary of 1,600 euros, deemed "financially untenable" by the CGT. Argedis is 100% owned by TotalEnergies, which runs 3,300 stations in metropolitan France. Contacted, management declined to comment.