Preferential energy tariff: Electricians' and gas workers' unions call for a strike on September 15

The Court of Auditors believes that the reduced electricity and gas tariffs enjoyed by employees and retirees in the electricity and gas industries cannot "continue in their current form." As the government considers revising this benefit, the four main trade union federations in the sector are calling for a day of action and strikes on September 15, 2026.

The "agent tariff" is at the heart of a new social battle in the energy sector. In a Report published on July 17, 2026 Regarding the human resources management of EDF SA, the Court of Auditors estimates the cost of this benefit at more than 700 million euros in 2024 at the group level.

"The energy benefit in kind represents an excessive cost, amounting to more than 700 million euros in 2024 at the group level, also requiring the creation of social liabilities for its maintenance after employment (3,9 billion euros at the end of 2024). It cannot continue in its current form," the Court of Auditors believes.

A historical advantage also granted to retirees

The "employee tariff" corresponds to a discount on electricity and gas prices. This historical component of the national staff regulations for the electricity and gas industries (IEG) benefits both permanent employees and retirees from companies that originated from the historical operators EDF and GDF.

The scheme applies in particular to beneficiaries from EDF, Engie, Enedis, GRDF as well as other companies in the sector, including local energy distributors.

The Court of Auditors recommends capping consumption.

The Court of Auditors recommends "gradually reducing the energy benefit, primarily by capping the consumption taken into account." It also advocates adjusting the tax and social security scale based on the annual averages of regulated electricity sales tariffs and benchmark gas tariffs, including all taxes.

According to the financial jurisdiction, beneficiaries now pay less than 2% of the average electricity or gas tariffs paid by consumers. This figure is, however, disputed by some union representatives.

The government is simultaneously studying a change to the system. The Ministry of Energy indicates that it has received "a formal notice from the Court of Auditors" requesting it to "bring itself into compliance regarding the valuation of this difference (...) between this tariff and the actual value of energy." The issue of this valuation should be resolved by a ministerial decree.

A day of action and strikes has been announced for September 15th.

United in an inter-union group, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), the French Confederation of Management-General Confederation of Managers (CFE-CGC), the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) and Workers' Force (FO) called for "the massive mobilization of electricians and gas workers" during a day of action and strike organized on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

"The methods of action will be defined later at the level of each company and at the level of each profession (...), what is certain is that there will be a call for a massive strike," reacted Amélie Henri, central union delegate CFE-CGC, the leading union at EDF.

Fabrice Coudour, general secretary of the National Federation of Mines and Energy CGT (FNME-CGT), believes that "With equal skills and seniority, (...) hiring levels are much lower in our companies than often in the private sector."

The union representative sees the proposed reform as "a provocation" (...) "during a heatwave, when staff are working tirelessly." According to him, "the staff fee represents no more than 1% of users' bills."

EDF is requesting time to examine the developments.

Regarding the revision of the tax and social security scale, EDF "wants the various stakeholders to take the time to examine the possible changes and will pay close attention to the choices that are made." The group also reiterates that its employees "are committed" to this benefit "which is part of the social framework."

In his response to the report, Roland Lescure, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty, stated: "I share with the Court the need to examine as a priority measures aimed at better control of consumption within the framework of the energy transition policy," while defending "an appropriate social timetable" for this reform.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.