While Guadeloupe is suffering from major power cuts due to a strike by EDF agents, negotiations in the archipelago between the energy branch of the CGTG and the management of EDF Production Electric Insulaire (PEI) have been suspended. but one “fourth engine” Jarry diesel power plant to be put into operation “during peak hours to inhibit load shedding in the area”saying in FE-CGTG Secretary General Jimmy Thelemaque.
The strike at EDF-PEI, EDF’s electricity production subsidiary, began on Monday, September 16. Negotiations, which resumed on Thursday, were interrupted on Friday afternoon. The strike caused the power plant’s engines to be shut down and the operator says it is carrying out “rotary load shedding” For “avoid widespread accidents (blackout)”The consequences of these cuts are numerous: water cuts, school closures or slowdown in business activity.
The social conflict concerns the implementation of an agreement signed in early 2023, after sixty-one days of strike by the same agents, who demanded compliance with labor legislation for their contracts and remuneration, in particular five years of wage arrears.
“The FE-CGTG requested a period of ten days” the presence of a manager from the Paris company, the union said in a press release arguing that “The director in Guadeloupe does not have the sufficient level of responsibility to involve EDF-PEI”For its part, the company regretted, in a press release, “This breakdown in negotiations” and discussed “I have made all payments on this date” linked to the protocol.
At the end of the talks, which took place under the direction of the state services, Ludovic De Gaillande, director of the Department of Labour of Guadeloupe, confirmed on public radio Guadeloupe La 1ère a much lower load shedding. And this, despite “the decision of the CGTG to leave the negotiating table”according to him.
