The presidents of the department and the region as well as the prefect called on Friday the CGT and the management of EDF to find a way out of this crisis which has lasted since the end of December.
MO12345LEMONDE with AFP
The social conflict between the CGT and EDF hardened on Friday February 10 at Guadeloupe, causing very long power cuts. Officials of the island called on both parties to end the crisis.
For Guy Losbar, president of the department, it is necessary to “quickly find an agreement which puts an end to this crisis situation”. For his part, Ary Chalus, president of the region, “urged” the union and the energy company to resume “urgently the negotiations” to get out of the strike, which relates to wage demands.
“This situation cannot last,” said the prefect, calling “to the immediate finalization of discussions” to put an end to cuts “likely to compromise the safety of people and seriously affect economic activity”.
Exasperation rises in the population and on the side of companies, subject to electricity cuts of several hours due to a total cessation of the activity of the largest center on the island.
Deltages are organized to avoid blackout, also causing water cuts. “Up to 90,000 customers could be impacted,” says EDF SEI, a network manager of the network. 2>
calls to demonstrate
A petition circulates on social networks, and calls to demonstrate in front of the power plant affected by the strike have been launched.
The strike, which has lasted since the end of December, opposes the energy branch of the CGT Guadeloupe and the management of EDF Pei, a subsidiary of electric production. The origin of the conflict lies in shortcomings in respect of the Labor Code, rectified in a draft agreement of which the Agency France-Presse (AFP) has learned.
A sticking point remains. He relates in particular to “the catch-up of pension contributions, to be paid into the good box, for the requalified contracts”, according to Jimmy Télémaque, secretary general of the energy branch of the CGTG-Guadeloupe.
The union also evokes wage increases, which management refuses, arguing efforts already made in the matter.
The company attributes the blockage to “only five striking strikers”. It indicates to file a defamation complaint due to a “established link” by the union “between the working conditions and the diabetes” of certain agents.
In the End of Conflict Protocol Project consulted by AFP is a proposal for “payment of a lump sum, global and exceptional” compensation “, formulated” at the request of the Minister of Overseas “.