Paris
CNN
–
French Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told journalists on Friday that 28.5% – almost a third – of gas stations in mainland France have run out of at least one type of fuel.
In the Ile de France area of Paris, the figure was 25.5% on Friday, down from 31.7% yesterday, she added.
A source in the French prime minister’s office on Friday blamed long lines and depleted inventories at French gas stations this week on panic buying, rather than just supply problems.
The source said that despite the fact that gas companies supply gas to the pumps increased by 30% to 50% this week compared to a normal week.
Sources from the prime minister’s office and the energy converter said that this week, demand at gas pumps was at least 20% higher than usual.
Sources have added that when the strike action is overIt will take a week or two for refinery output and logistics in France to return to normal.
Earlier this week, French government requires employees at an ExxonMobil refinery in Normandy to get back to work, a very unusual move.
Meanwhile, on Friday, French energy giant TotalEnergies signed an agreement with two French trade unions, CFE-CGC and CFDT, to raise wages for 2023.
However, strike action continues at four of the seven refineries in France. All four of these sites are operated by TotalEnergies.
The CGT union – one of the country’s largest companies – has refused to accept Total’s offer, with TotalEnergies European Commission CGT Secretary Thierry Defresne on Friday calling for broad industrial action more on October 18.
CGT has asked for a 10% salary increase for workers.
Under the terms of an agreement signed with two other unions, TotalEnergies will increase wages by 7% for 2023, the company said in a press release.
The deal includes a raise for all employees as well as a bonus equivalent to one month’s salary.
But the CGT union has vowed to continue the strike after holding talks with the union’s head calling on workers in other sectors to join a broader strike on Tuesday, May 18. ten.
– Pierre Bairin and Renée Bertini of CNN in Paris also contributed to this story
