Lionel Gougelot, edited by Yanis Darras 11:57 a.m., January 17, 2023

The pension reform will encounter many obstacles on its way.

Among the latter, the refinery unions who wish to block all fuel exits on January 19th.

Faced with the concern of motorists who rush into the stations, the union delegates are calling for calm.

A reform on which the government does not want to back down, and unions determined to pound the pavement to make them bend.

The pension reform is fueling tensions between the executive and employee representatives.

So, to express their opposition, the latter are calling for a big demonstration on January 19th. 

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At least 200 rallies planned in the country, estimates the CGT.

Transport, education... Many sectors will be mobilized, including the energy sector.

Among them, refineries will follow suit en masse.

At the TotalEnergies Mardyck refinery, near Dunkirk, employees are called upon to block fuel shipments this Thursday. 

Stations already dry

"Over 24 hours, there will be no immediate (shortage) effect. We know that it takes several days for fuel to run out at service stations, so over 24 hours, there is no will have no direct impact", tries to reassure Clément Mortier, FO delegate of the site.

"Don't panic," he warns, even as motorists rush to gas stations.

This Monday, already 4% of the stations lacked at least one fuel.

A figure that climbs to 13% in Pas-de-Calais, and even up to 20% in Yvelines. 

But the FO delegate insists: this strike "is a demand that is directed towards the government" and its pension reform.

"So if necessary, yes, we will settle in the length depending on what is going to happen everywhere and if it lasts, yes, there could be repercussions", he concludes.