PARIS (Reuters) – The management of GRDF and the CGT failed to reach an agreement on wages on Wednesday to end a five-week-long strike that is disrupting gas connection activities and causing wild cuts.
Nearly 1,000 customers of the gas distributor were affected by the social movement initiated by the CGT, mainly people who had moved and who were waiting to be connected to the network. They had to wait on average between 10 and 15 days for commissioning, whereas GRDF normally has to carry out this work within five days.
According to the operator, the rate of strikers is less than 3%, but the movement is particularly followed in Île-de-France.
The Engie subsidiary has denounced “malicious acts” in recent days, such as wild cuts or even damage to equipment. Nearly 800 homes were deprived of gas last weekend in the Pyrénées-Orientales region, according to management, which has filed several complaints.
The CGT is contesting a majority agreement signed by FO, CFDT and CFE-CGC on November 18, which provides for a base salary increase of 2.3% as well as an increase in individual salaries of 2.2% and two bonuses totaling 2,500 euros, explains the management of GRDF. In addition to this agreement, there is a 3.3% increase in wages planned by the branch.
The trade union center is calling for an additional increase of 2.3% for all employees, an amount that fluctuates between 40 and 50 euros to fully cover “galloping inflation of more than 12%”.
GRDF, which refuses to reopen negotiations to reconsider the provisions of the agreement, opened the door on Wednesday to the idea of paying aid for employees residing in regions where the price of real estate is higher, either in the Paris region, in Nice, Marseille, Lyon and Lille, Sébastien Raya, CGT delegate, told Reuters.
“They are completely off the mark”, he reacted, specifying that this measure would only affect a little more than 30% of employees, while the cost of living is increasing throughout the territory.
“It’s misunderstanding. We don’t understand why they don’t want to find a solution. Why are they playing rottenness? Anger will explode. Management will have to take responsibility,” he added.
(Report Caroline Pailliez, edited by Kate Entringer)