French petrol refinery workers vote to continue strike

Striking French fuel refinery workers voted Wednesday to continue their stoppages and blockades, defying threats from the government to force them to return to their jobs.

Industrial action to demand large pay rises has paralysed six out of seven fuel refineries in France, leading to nation-wide shortages exacerbated by panic-buying from drivers.

AFP reporters at two refineries owned by US giant Esso-ExxonMobil saw workers raise their hands in favour of continuing their strike on Wednesday morning, while trade unions confirmed continuing stoppages at four sites owned by France’s TotalEnergies.

Government ministers have urged a negotiated resolution to the crisis, but have been threatening direct intervention to get supplies flowing again as frustration mounts.

The state has the powers to requisition refineries and force workers back to their jobs in an emergency, with the risk of fines or jail time for those that refuse.

Late on Tuesday, TotalEnergies offered to consult unions whose workers were not on strike.

Analysts say the government is reluctant to inflame the conflict, which is being led by the hard-left CGT union, the second-biggest in France.

The crisis comes at a time of high energy prices and inflation, while TotalEnergies’ bumper profits have caused widespread anger, leading to calls for the group to face a windfall tax.

Those calls have been consistently refused by the government.

The stand-off could add impetus to a march planned by left-wing political parties on Sunday against the centrist government of President Emmanuel Macron and the high cost of living.

“I hope this is the spark that begins a general strike,” leading Greens party MP, Sandrine Rousseau, told franceinfo radio early on Wednesday.