Guillaume Dominguez, edited by Laura Laplaud 10:12 a.m., June 27, 2022

Purchasing power is at the heart of the concerns of the French and while waiting for the government bill which will be presented to the Council of Ministers next week, truck drivers are showing their anger on Monday morning.

Five unions have called a nationwide strike, demanding higher wages.

In Moissy-Cramayel, in Seine-et-Marne, one of the meeting points for strikers, more than 80 truckers have already gathered on the roundabout at the entrance to the industrial zone of Chanteloup park .

Five unions called for a national strike in the road transport sector on Monday morning.

The objective of the action: to demand wage increases.

Requested salary increase

It is in a good-natured atmosphere that the fed up of truck drivers on Monday morning is reflected.

The unions, which have set up an information stand and a food truck that distributes breakfast, all denounce wages and working conditions that do not allow them to live properly.

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Like Mohamed, 47, a father.

"1,700-1,600 euros a month, we can't do anything with that, gas is almost 400 euros a month, and it's 1,000 euros in rent, we can't go on like this," he breathes.

With the increase in prices, the end of the month is more and more difficult for him.

Mohamed estimates that he would need at least 2,200 euros per month, or a 40% increase in his salary.

"You have to get your muscles out"

But in his branch, recent negotiations with management only promise him an increase of 6%.

"You have to get your muscles out," he says, ready to continue the movement.

"We already did it years ago. We're going to do it again and we don't mind. We're at the end of our rope. I get up in the morning at 4 a.m. until 6 p.m. for 1,600 euros. We are risking our lives, we can't go on like this," he said.

For the moment, the truckers do not block motorists, only trucks and heavy goods vehicles are stopped.

The strikers invite drivers to join the movement.

Several strikers say they are ready to block the Rungis market again if they are not heard on Monday.