Although both actions are local in scale, they highlight growing tension between employees and employers in an industry that has been struggling for years with a driver shortage and cost pressure.
Drivers strike over holiday entitlement
Drivers at Transports Burlot have been on strike for the fourth day. The protest began on 2 March in Loudéac. Around 20 truckers, out of the company’s 28 employees, did not report for work, launching strike action.
The dispute stems from a decision to reduce the number of paid holiday days, which employees were informed about in writing by the management of the Eonnet group. Transports Burlot has been part of the group since 2023. As employee representatives point out, the new owner’s actions are intended to limit social benefits in the acquired companies in order to improve profitability – reports the French transport portal “Les Routiers”.
The change was introduced in February. Drivers claim, however, that the decision was announced without prior consultation, and are therefore demanding a meeting with the company’s management. According to information provided to local media, the strike was the following day unanimously extended by the protesting drivers, and the action moved into another day.
Overnight protest at Stef
At the same time, tensions also emerged at another transport company. Around ten employees of Stef in La Crèche began an overnight strike from Tuesday 3 March to Wednesday 4 March.
The protest was a response to the outcome of the mandatory annual pay negotiations. CGT union members deemed the wage increase proposed by management insufficient.
An industry facing a driver shortage
The situation is somewhat paradoxical, as France’s road transport sector has been struggling with a driver deficit for years. It is estimated that France is short of around 15,000 truck drivers.
One of the companies that has been actively trying to attract new employees for years is Stef Transport France. A few years ago, the company introduced for this purpose an employee share ownership programme and special savings packages.
Any driver who had worked for the company for at least three months could receive a share package in the business or a special savings account.
A contrast with other disputes in Europe
The French dispute over working conditions highlights a stark contrast with the situation of some drivers working in international road transport in Europe. While in France the protest concerns a reduction in the number of paid holiday days, in other parts of the continent drivers are fighting over far more basic issues.
A good example is a recent protest in the Netherlands, where a driver from Tajikistan employed by a Lithuanian transport company refused to continue driving at the Port of Rotterdam. The man claims that for two years he practically lived in the truck cab and during that time did not see his family, and for the last few months he has not received his full pay.
According to his calculations, his employer owes him at least EUR 30,000. In response, the driver stopped the vehicle together with the load and invoked the right of retention, refusing to continue transport until the outstanding amounts are paid.
The case is being monitored by the Dutch trade union FNV, which notes that such cases are not uncommon. Union members point out that drivers from third countries often receive only advances against their wages, and full settlement may depend on returning to their home country, which increases their dependence on the employer.
A good example is a recent protest in the Netherlands, where a driver from Tajikistan employed by a Lithuanian transport company refused to continue driving at the Port of Rotterdam. The man claims that for two years he practically lived in the truck cab and during that time did not see his family, and for the last few months he has not received his full pay.
The situation is somewhat paradoxical, as France’s road transport sector has been struggling with a shortage of drivers for years. It is estimated that France is short of around 15,000 truck drivers.
