Service station workers at TotalEnergies across France went on strike on Friday, protesting rising fuel costs and demanding higher wages from the oil giant. <\/p>\n
The strike comes at a time when fuel prices have surged, putting additional pressure on both workers and consumers as travel demand increases during school holidays in parts of the country, News.Az<\/a> reports, citing Reuters<\/a>.<\/p>\n The CGT trade union, which represents staff at nearly 200 TotalEnergies service stations, said employees are struggling to cope with rising fuel prices on their current salaries.<\/p>\n \u201cTotal\u2019s employees are receiving no support to cope with this surge in fuel prices,\u201d CGT secretary general Sophie Binet said in an interview with France 2 television, also calling for an increase in the national minimum wage.<\/p>\n Workers say the average salary of around \u20ac1,600 per month is no longer sufficient to cover commuting costs, with some stating they \u201ccannot even afford to come to work anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n TotalEnergies had previously announced measures to cap fuel prices in mainland France after global oil costs spiked following the Iran<\/a> conflict, which pushed prices to their highest levels in years.<\/p>\n The company, which operates roughly a quarter of France\u2019s service stations, has not yet responded to the latest strike action.<\/p>\n The French government is reportedly considering capping fuel distributors\u2019 profit margins, a move that has met resistance from industry players.<\/p>\n Authorities are under pressure to address affordability concerns as households face higher transportation costs.<\/p>\n The industrial action coincides with a heavy travel period in France, as families take to the roads for spring school holidays in several regions, increasing the potential impact of disruptions at fuel stations.<\/p>\n Union representatives say workers are striking to demand fair pay and better support amid rising living costs, with slogans emphasizing that employees \u201cwant to work but not at a loss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n