Paris (AFP)

With more than one in four agents on strike at EDF (28.5%) according to management, the mobilization was again strong Tuesday at the call of the trade union federations CGT, CFE-CGC, CFDT, FO, still united against the "Hercules" project to split the energy company.

The figure, established for all the group's employees, is in line with those reached during the first three days of mobilization: 31.56% of strikers on November 26, 32.4% on December 10 and 28.61% the 17th.

The CFE-CGC, which removes the agents on leave from its calculations, even claims 32.45% of mobilization.

"It is quite honorable", rejoices Amélie Henri, coordinator of the EDF group at CFE-CGC, who had set herself the objective "to do at least as well" as during the first three calls of the Interfederal .

The energy industry unions are due to meet Wednesday morning to decide on the rest of the movement.

Strengthened by this mobilization, they know they are supported by a large fringe of EDF agents in their fight against the Hercules project.

Thought by the CEO of the energy company Jean-Bernard Lévy, this could result in a split of the group into three entities: a public company (EDF blue) for nuclear power plants, another (EDF green) listed on the stock exchange for the distribution of electricity and renewable energies, and a third (EDF azur) which would cover the hydroelectric dams.

- "Nonsense" -

"Hercules is nonsense and the antithesis of what we need," points out Sébastien Menesplier, general secretary of CGT Mines Energies, the leading union in the sector.

"The Hercule project does not respond to EDF's problems", judge Amélie Henri.

"Our objective has not changed: we are asking for its withdrawal and to be associated with discussions on EDF's problems."

The unions call for EDF to retain its status as an "integrated group", whose activities range from electricity production to network management (by RTE) and distribution to households (Enedis).

Actions took place on Tuesday morning in front of EDF sites, but also of Engie, while the CGT calls for mobilization throughout the energy sector and calls for a renationalization of the two electricity giants.

EDF agents have operated load reductions at several sites, in particular at the Villeurbanne-Cusset hydroelectric power station (Rhône) as well as in the Durance valley (Alpes de Haute-Provence and Vaucluse).

Agents organized a blockage and then a filtering dam in front of the Golfech nuclear power plant (Tarn-et-Garonne), where nearly 250 people gathered.

A banner was deployed, on which it was written "Did you like the privatization of the motorways? You will love that of EDF".

In Paris, nearly 200 CGT activists dumped Linky meters in front of the headquarters of La République en Marche (2nd arrondissement) to the sound of "Electricity and gas are not for the private sector! It is a right for all users! "

- Letter to Emmanuel Macron -

A demonstration also took place in front of the prefecture of Bastia at the appeal of the CGT, the Corsican Workers' Union (STC) and the CFE-CGC against the "disengagement of Engie" denounced last week by the CGT.

No agreement has yet been reached between Engie and Bastia to maintain gas production in the town, while the concessions end on March 31.

Beyond the mere mobilization of energy agents, initiatives are multiplying against the Hercules project.

Last week, the bosses of the main confederations wrote to Emmanuel Macron, urging him to renounce Hercules, and an online petition launched late last year has passed the 30,000 signature mark.

The Interfederal is invited Wednesday, at the initiative of the communist Sébastien Jumel, to a meeting with deputies from the main opposition groups, from the rebels to the Republicans.

The debate on Hercules could be open to all French people: the Socialist senators and deputies have indicated their intention to table a proposal for a shared initiative referendum (RIP) against the project.

Developments that delight Cédric Liechtenstein, secretary general of CGT Energie Paris: "All support is welcome. We hope that this fight will go beyond the four walls of our company".

kau-fga-mc-ube / cel / caz

© 2021 AFP