the CGT-Pétrole raises the risk of blockage; the government calls on the unions to “not penalize the French”

After all trade unions who, for the first time in twelve years, have called for demonstrations together for a “powerful long-term mobilization” against pension reformit is up to the branch unions to announce their mobilization.

The CGT unions of the oil branch called for several strikes on January 19 and 26 as well as on February 6 with, “if necessary, the shutdown of refining facilities”raising the risk of blockage, according to a statement released Thursday, January 12 by Eric Sellini, national coordinator of the union for TotalEnergies.

The call will result in “decreases in flow” and “stop shipping”, said Sellini. On February 6, a “renewable strike with, if necessary, the shutdown of refining facilities” will be “offered to employees”explains the CGT.

The movement must begin with a first work stoppage of twenty-four hours on January 19 – day of the national interprofessional mobilization. For January 26, the CGT calls for a forty-eight hour strike, then seventy-two hours on February 6.

“The start of a powerful mobilization”

After the presentation by the government of its pension reform project on Tuesday, the eight main unions (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA, Solidaires, FSU), called for a day of strikes and demonstrations on January 19. They hope that she “gives the start of a powerful mobilization on long-term pensions”. For its part, the government “does not project itself there in the idea of ​​​​a massive mobilization”said Wednesday the spokesman of the government, Olivier Véran, at the end of the council of ministers.

The other unions in the oil sector, CFE-CGC, FO and CFDT, relayed the national appeal of January 19. A vast mobilization of almost a month, at the initiative of the CGT on September 27, with the shutdown of refineries and the blocking of deposits, had caused significant difficulties in the supply of fuel in France.

The appeal of the CGT-Pétrole was launched the day after that of the transport unions, which promises a “powerful strike”. The previous pension reform bill, during Mr Macron’s first five-year term, led to weeks of paralysis of public transport, from the end of 2019 to the beginning of 2020.

Elisabeth Borne calls on unions to “responsibility”

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Thursday called on the unions to ” the responsibility “ in their mobilization against the pension reform, on the sidelines of a trip to Disneyland Paris. “There is a right to strike, there is a right to demonstrate”but “It is also important not to penalize the French”she warned.

The strike is “a constitutional right”, had reacted a little earlier the Minister of Public Accounts, Gabriel Attal, guest on RMC-BFM-TV. Recalling the opposition of trade union organizations to the government’s plan to gradually shift the legal retirement age from 62 to 64, the Minister refuses to “summarize the situation to a face-to-face between the government and the unions” or at ” a showdown “.

“The strike can take place without (…) blocking the country », added the Minister of the Public Service, Stanislas Guerini, guest Thursday morning of CNews. For his part, the President of the Senate (LR), Gérard Larcher, judged on RTL Thursday that he would “irresponsible” from the unions of “block the country” to oppose a pension reform that he considers ” essential “.