France - Refinery Blockages/Strikes

AndyT

AndyT

AndyT

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Aix-en-Provence
France is currently in the middle of yet another strike / action by trade unionists.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36366912

Trade unionists are currently blocking access to/from oil refineries. The unions who are striking aren't even specifically refinery workers; it is the CGT - the general worker's union. Living in France I find it unbelievable in this day and age that trade unions can hold an entire country to ransom for what are essentially fairly standard labour reforms.

I went out at lunch to all 4 of the local stations near work here and all are empty. Of the 3 stations on the route home last night, only one was open and the queue was ridiculous.

Much of this mess will be down to panic buying I'm sure, but when this happened last time in 2010, apparently it went on for weeks.

EDIT: Much better coverage here.

http://www.thelocal.fr/20160524/fuel-crisis-one-fifth-of-french-petrol-stations-run-low

Suffice to say that I don't know anyone here who is sympathetic to the unions. Most sensible people seem to realise that the French economy is on its derriere and that reform is needed. I should point out however that I only really know other people in the "professional services", so certainly can't speak for everyone.
 
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It's hard to see how these relatively lightweight labour reforms (sure, major for France) are going to solve France's economic issues, which are more related to the eurozone as a whole rather than France specifically.
 
Media is deliberately playing this down for the referendum imo. I only found out about it yesterday when my parents called me from France to say they only had 59 miles worth of fuel left in the tank and hadn't been able to fill up. Fortunately they managed to find somewhere to fill up today (probably set off at 4:30am knowing them).

I'm generally sympathetic to strikers - think people should have the right to withdraw their labour if they think they're being treated unfairly. However blockading refineries is a violent act and the authorities need to stamp down hard on it - but of course, being France they won't, they'll probably cave in again. Wonder how long it'll be before this protest spreads and they blockade the channel ports again...

:mad:
 
Considering I am meant to be driving to south of France Saturday I hope this is better or I have no idea what I will do
 
Like everything going on within EU, Rioting, Protests and Strikes.. UK Media are playing it all down for the referendum upcoming.

I only found out by independent media i follow via a blog. BBC, Sky etc.. Nope

As to above.. it does, Any mention of bad situations within Eu right now could sway voters who are undecided or on the fence
 
I don't understand why the french let them do it, I don't mean the random workers from the general union helping with the strike - that is a difference between the UK and France sure but whatever...

but more the law breaking - sure they've got the right to strike and it seems they can strike even if they're essentially part of a sympathy strike in France... but burning tires/blocking roads etc.. ought to lead to arrests
 
Posting from champagne ardennes at the moment drove down from calais. Was quite bad no fuel for at least three hours until got further south east. Have filled up now to ensure can get back home next week.
 
I've just got back from the south of France and they were panic buying at every petrol station I drove by(St Tropez-Cannes-Nice). Luckily the hire company charged petrol in advance at the price as of a week ago and it has gone up 30 cents at the petrol stations now!
 
Unicorn said:
Like everything going on within EU, Rioting, Protests and Strikes.. UK Media are playing it all down for the referendum upcoming.

I only found out by independent media i follow via a blog. BBC, Sky etc.. Nope
Click to expand...

It's on the BBC website..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36366912

It's on Sky...

http://news.sky.com/story/1700722/drivers-stranded-as-france-runs-out-of-petrol

What is it with people wishing everything was a conspiracy these days?

scorza said:
Chaos in Europe very much plays to the Leave campaign's argument.
Click to expand...

It's industrial action in France not 'chaos in Europe'.
 
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