They are undoubtedly the representatives of the TotalEnergies group (ex-Total) most in contact with French motorists. And among the worst paid, they also insist, despite the dizzying profits of the multinational (16 billion dollars, or 15.2 billion euros, in 2021). Khaoine, Issa and Christian – only the latter wished to change his first name – work in three of the approximately 180 service stations of Argedis. A 100% subsidiary of the oil and gas group. “Everywhere in the station, it says ‘Total’, even on our outfit”recalls Christian. “The place where ‘Argedis’ appears is on our payslip”adds Issa, drawn from a brief sleep after his night work (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.).
Khaoine places his payslip on the table of a Parisian café. Net salary in May for full time: 1,314.61 euros as“highly skilled sales host”. Barely more than the minimum wage (1,302.64 euros) for this fifty-year-old, elected staff, after almost twenty years of seniority in the company.
All three are CGT trade unionists, and all three have planned to join the national strike on Friday, June 24. Their confederation has called for the mobilization of the 35,000 employees of the TotalEnergies group in France, around half of whom work in subsidiaries. A day to demand a wage increase and counter the effects of inflation. “Food prices are rising, but so are the fuel prices we distribute. Except that salaries do not follow”, observes Christian, in his forties.
Checkout, sales, storage, cleaning of showers…
This loss of purchasing power primarily affects the workforce of the subsidiaries. In particular Argedis, for the network of motorway and urban service stations, Hutchinson, for the transformation of rubber, Saft, for the manufacture of batteries. Employees outside the common social base of TotalEnergies, outside the business lines of exploration and production, refining, petrochemicals or even marketing.
Of more than 3,000 Argedis workers, the majority of them receive “less than 1,500 euros” net for full time, according to the CGT of the company. The less well-off can also be “eligible” to an activity bonus, a social benefit from the Family Allowance Fund, continues its press release. Single mothers, for example.
Of more than 3,000 Argedis workers, the majority of them receive “less than 1,500 euros” net for full-time work, according to the company’s CGT
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