French Strikes, Riots Shut Down 850 Gas Stations, Block Refineries

Oil Price ^ | 23 May 2016 | Charles Kennedy

[Lorianne]

Some 850 petrol stations in France have been forced to close down and nearly a thousand more face shortages as union protests block oil refineries over controversial labor reforms, clashing with riot police in some locations across the country.

Unions blocked deliveries from five out of eight refineries in France to protest against labor laws passed earlier this month. The labor laws make it easier for employers to hire and fire staff and reduce overtime compensation.

Workers consider the bill unfavorable to are demanding that it be withdrawn. They also argue that the laws were pushed through without a public debate and without a vote in the Parliament.

French Strikes, Riots Shut Down 850 Gas Stations, Block Refineries

Total Gas Station

Some 850 petrol stations in France have been forced to close down and nearly a thousand more face shortages as union protests block oil refineries over controversial labor reforms, clashing with riot police in some locations across the country.

Unions blocked deliveries from five out of eight refineries in France to protest against labor laws passed earlier this month. The labor laws make it easier for employers to hire and fire staff and reduce overtime compensation.

Workers consider the bill unfavorable to are demanding that it be withdrawn. They also argue that the laws were pushed through without a public debate and without a vote in the Parliament.

Related: The Biggest Winner Of The Oil Bust: Interview With Aeromexico

Workers at six refineries are on strike and around five out of the country’s 100 fuel depots are presently affected by the blockades, according to French officials cited by news agencies.

[NEMDF]

Aren’t they required to have “free everything” in France, work only 40 weeks per year?

[Be Careful]

Welcome to Bernezuela.....Coming to a Country Near You....

[Opinionated Blowhard]

The labor laws make it easier for employers to hire and fire staff and reduce overtime compensation.

Coming soon to America. Gimme gimme gimme a boatload of government goodies. Let me keep my job no matter what I do or how poorly I work. And if you don't, I'll riot.

[RightGeek]

The contested labor reform would amend France's 35-hour workweek, approved in 2000 by the Socialists and now a cornerstone of the left. The current Socialist government wants adjustments to reduce France's 10-percent unemployment rate as the shortened workweek was meant to do.

The proposal technically maintains the 35-hour workweek, but allows companies to organize alternative working times without following industry-wide deals, up to a 48-hour workweek and 12 hours per day. In "exceptional circumstances," employees could work up to 60 hours a week.

To allow companies to deal with business booms, one measure would allow employees to work more than 35 hours without being paid overtime. In exchange, they would have more days off later on. Other measures would relax rules on layoffs and working from home and at night.

From back when the protests started - http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-03-09/france-faces-day-of-protests-over-labor-reform-train-strike

[bgill]

Fire them all.

[Chode]