Gravelines nuclear plant workers strike over electricity benefits

Approximately 80% of employees at the Gravelines nuclear power plant, Western Europe’s largest, participated in a strike on Tuesday morning. The industrial action is part of a national movement to defend a preferential electricity tariff provided to sector employees.

Representatives from the CGT, FO, and CFE-CGC unions gathered at the site to protest potential changes to this benefit. The dispute stems from recommendations published in July regarding increased taxation and social security contributions on this in-kind advantage. Union members argue that implementing these changes would result in a significant loss of purchasing power, with some estimating a cost of 2,000 euros per year for a family of four.

While the strike is described by union leaders as a large-scale mobilization intended to “strike hard,” they clarified that electricity production remains unaffected. Union delegates emphasized that the movement is not a demand for salary increases, but rather a demand for the respect of existing employment contracts and established statutes.