Two months before the mandatory annual negotiations (NAO), **TotalEnergies** announced an exceptional bonus of 1,000 euros for its French employees. The CGT, a major trade union, criticized the move as a "gross manipulation," arguing that the bonus was an attempt to prevent potential strikes. According to an internal document obtained by AFP, French employees will receive this bonus in 2026, ahead of the annual mandatory negotiations set for December. This decision comes as the company has seen a significant rise in profits since the outbreak of the war in the Gulf at the end of February, which caused a sharp increase in the prices of hydrocarbons on global markets. The CGT has announced plans to call for a strike on October 8, focusing on employment and wages, across all of **TotalEnergies**' sites in France, including its refineries and some service stations. When contacted by AFP, the company declined to comment, stating it would not do so "before the start of the discussions scheduled during the NAO in December." In an internal letter, Catherine Remy, the director general of "people and social engagement" (equivalent to HR) at the company, explained that the bonus was intended to send a "concrete signal" to employees. She emphasized that the 1,000 euro advance was meant to recognize their contributions to the company's success while maintaining the role of social dialogue in determining future salary measures. Eric Sellini, a CGT coordinator at **TotalEnergies**, dismissed the bonus as a "gross manipulation" and said the management was "very nervous" about the planned strike. He claimed the bonus did not address the union's demands and suggested the company wanted to avoid having its refineries and service stations involved in the country's current tense social climate. The CGT also highlighted concerns about working conditions, particularly in refineries, where the use of temporary workers and fixed-term contracts has increased, raising safety concerns. The union is also calling for the strike to defend employees' purchasing power, which has been declining for many, especially in the group's subsidiaries. According to a leaflet obtained by AFP, employees have been facing a continuous decline in working conditions, which has worsened during periods of extreme heat.