A strike at Cise has disrupted water and sanitation services in several communes, with workers demanding a 20% cost-of-living allowance and facing stalled negotiations.
Strike impacts water and sanitation services
Disruptions in the supply of drinking water and sanitation have been reported in areas managed by Cise, with the strike continuing within the company. The affected regions include several communes in the French overseas department of Reunion, where Cise operates the public water service.Workers demand salary equity
The striking workers are demanding a 20 percent cost-of-living allowance for all employees. This comes after a recent financial audit of the 2024 accounts revealed that some detached staff were receiving this allowance, prompting the workers to push for equal treatment across the board.Union leader expresses frustration
Nicolas Balmine, a union leader, expressed disappointment with Cise's attitude during an interview on October 21 while he was with about a hundred striking workers in front of the labor inspection offices in Saint-Denis. He criticized the company's response to their demands, calling it inadequate.Negotiations delayed until 2027
Negotiations were postponed to 2027 after the conciliation commission on October 21 made little progress. The unionist criticized the management's offer, which included small increases on meal vouchers, water allowances, and a social aid budget, stating that the management was only addressing the side of their demands.Management resists 20 percent increase
Cise had previously stated that a 20 percent increase is "incompatible with the company's economic capabilities" and referred the unions to the mandatory annual negotiations scheduled for 2027. The union claims that the company's response has only strengthened the resolve of the strikers.Striker numbers remain high
Nicolas Balmine noted that the strikers are determined to continue the movement due to the management's responses, with about 90 percent of the 262 employees on strike. A dozen employees have been requisitioned to ensure service continuity, and the management has brought in ten people from the Hexagone to replace them, which the union claims is illegal.Disruptions extend beyond initial areas
The strike has disrupted the supply of drinking water and raised concerns beyond the communes mentioned, as Cise's infrastructure covers a larger area. The intercommunalities of the East and South (Cirest and Casud) have intervened, requesting the state's mediation to resolve the crisis.Infrastructure issues complicate recovery
According to Cise, the most affected areas include Sainte-Rose, where ongoing electrical difficulties complicate the restoration of water disinfection, and Salazie, where the potable water treatment plant at Mare à Vieille Place remains out of service. An intervention is being considered, subject to the availability of necessary resources.Efforts to maintain service continue
Cirest is committed to mobilizing additional water resources in a context of high tension, calling on users to adopt modest and responsible usage, prioritizing essential needs and temporarily limiting non-essential consumption. In the territory of Casud and the Avirons, chlorine bottles are being replaced to prevent new chlorination failures.Sanitation and wastewater challenges
Sanitation is also affected, with several wastewater treatment plants experiencing significant malfunctions and non-compliant discharges reported. Teams are mobilizing available reinforcements, including those from the Saur Group who arrived last week, and preparing water bottle distribution devices. Affected users are informed of the locations and times of distribution through usual channels.
