Lights on, door wide open and "Welcome" sign highlighted. Nothing works. Customers have deserted the premises. Since the beginning of December 2019, blockages at refineries and fuel depots have become the dread of managers of service stations in Essonne. The brand most affected, Total displays “Out of service” in most of its petrol pumps. However, fuel or not, managers are forced to open their doors every morning, without guarantee of receiving a salary at the end of the month.
"In December, I couldn't get paid"
" It's a disaster ! There is a big discovery, alarmed Thomas (*). We have reached the point where we are happy to sell a Mars bar… ”Co-manager of a Total Access service station in the department, he has never experienced such a situation. Planted on the doorstep of the grocery store, he confides, helpless: "In December, I could not get paid for lack of money in cash ... This fate is mine. Total is not responsible for this. "
Every three years, Thomas signs a contract with the oil company for the supply of fuel and the use of his image. However, he manages the station independently, as part of a full-fledged SARL (limited liability company). Contacted on this subject, Total specifies: “In these stations, it is up to the managers to take care, internally, of the cash flows and the remuneration of the employees. "
Days that go on forever
In the absence of fuels, the shortfall is considerable. Keeping the grocery store and the washing station open appears to be the only solution for obtaining any income ... provided that motorists stop: "As soon as they see that the pumps are closed, they continue on their way", blows Leo, an employee of an Essonne station. Sitting behind his cash register, he counts the hours: “All day long, I answer the same questions: Do you have fuel? No. When are you going to get it? I do not know. A real operator's job, ”he concludes with a nervous laugh.
At Thomas, only one tanker truck replenishes the station each week. Usually there are five. So these employees try to take care of themselves as best as possible: "They come for a few hours, do a little cleaning, then leave ... For the moment, we manage to avoid technical unemployment". A very meager comfort, faced with its difficulties which continue to persist.
(*) All first names have been changed
The hunt for fuel continues
A resident of Ris-Orangis, Estelle Wiolgoz is desperately looking for something to fill her tank: "This is the second station I do this morning". Accompanied by her son and her husband, she tries her luck again: "Hey, does it work?" ". She inserts her bank card, grabs the spear ... "2.34 euros in fuel!" There is no risk of going far, she quips. Too bad, if we don't have gas, we won't go to work. Her child seems delighted.
Next to her, a woman inspects the pumps one by one. She signals to other motorists. Everything is dry! Mu, a Chinese student, seems disoriented: "I was not aware of this shortage of gas and I have a lot of trouble finding it." When will the tanker arrive? Impossible to predict.