Rally in front of Total's headquarters at the call of the Grandpuits refiners

The Grandpuits refiners have been on strike since January 4 against the site's reconversion project, where Total plans to cease refining "at the end of 2023" to make way for the production of biofuels and bioplastics, and the operation of two photovoltaic solar power plants.

According to the CGT (majority), this reconversion will lead to "job cuts, especially among subcontractors", while the group says "to undertake to support each company concerned by the development of the site".

The CSEC, which is held on Tuesday, must study an expert report on this conversion plan, according to Adrien Cornet, CGT delegate of the refinery. This report "supports all our concerns, in terms of employment, in terms of industrial safety, in terms of maintenance", he assured AFP.

"This is why it was very important for us to be there today, to demonstrate that it is not only an 8-hour meeting", added the elected CGT, for whom the supporters of this project will "decide the future of 80, 90 people".

Supporters of the strikers sprayed one of the entrances to Total's headquarters with green paint "to physically repaint the Total tower green," said Adrien Cornet.

The refiners present, mainly members of the CGT but also of the CFDT and SUD, unfurled a banner on the ground on which was written "Behind Total's PSE, 700 families at risk", around photos of some fifty refiners.

"You have to come forward at one time or another, because in Total's project, employment is not taken into account at all," said Daniel, one of the refiners present, who did not not wanted to give his last name. "We will go to the end whatever happens, only the result counts," he added.

A new general assembly will be organized on Wednesday to decide on the continuation of the strike movement.