Heading to France? It's running out of gas

Americans heading to France this week are being urged to think twice before renting a car because of the country's gas shortage.

The General Confederation of Labour in France has been in a dispute with TotalEnergies and Esso-ExxonMobil over pay for its members.

More than a quarter of gas stations are out of at least one type of fuel and 20% are completely dry because of the actions of workers at several oil refinery owned by the multinationals.

The French government enacted emergency powers in order to get workers back to work.

The government said that essential fuel workers at the blockaded Port Jerome refinery would be recalled on Wednesday. The move could lead to other sectors joining the strike in solidarity with the striking fuel workers.

Out of more than 11,000 gas stations in France, 2,093 were completely out of fuel and 1,101 had run out of one type of fuel as of midday Wednesday.

People are waiting in long lines at gas pumps as they try to fill up before the fuel network runs out.

Visitors to France in the next few days were warned to fill up before crossing into the country. They should use eco-driving techniques such as pumping their tires and slowing down.

When could the strikes end?

When the strike ends depends on how quickly the General Confederation of Labour and TotalEnergies and Esso-ExxonMobil can come to an agreement.

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Two weeks ago, workers walked out in a dispute over pay. More than half of France's refining capacity is offline due to blockades.

Europe is grappling with one of its worst cost-of-living crises in decades and unions want wage increases to help workers.

Here's how to travel to France right now and what to expect when you get there.

TotalEnergies, one of the world's biggest energy companies, agreed to bring salary talks forward in order to get workers back to work. Management was accused of "blackmail" by the union.

The French government has assured drivers that it is doing everything it can to reach a deal with fuel unions in order to prevent a run on the nation's pumps. Speaking during a visit to Mayenne in western France, PresidentEmmanuelMacron said that negotiations are underway and on track. I hope this can be solved soon. It's not possible to negotiate through blocking.

If an agreement is not reached quickly, the Prime Minister decided to take over the operations of the gas depots of ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies in France. She didn't specify a time frame for that demand.

She said that a salary disagreement does not justify blocking the country.

All ongoing negotiations with the government and employers were suspended by the union.

First talks with unions who are not involved in the strikes will be offered by TotalEnergies. The General Confederation of Labour union won't be welcomed to the table if the strikes end. This is what the union called it.

How can I save fuel while driving in France?

Several essential techniques are offered by the United Kingdom's automobile association. They are included.

• Drive in high gear, while keeping to the speed limit.
• Avoid using air conditioning or heating.
• Make sure tires are pumped to the recommended pressure.
• Use cruise control (if your car has it) whenever possible.
• Lighten the car's load.
• Leave more room between you and the vehicle in front to reduce braking and accelerating.

The equivalent of 38 cents a gallon can be saved by using such techniques.

A full tank will last about 350 miles on average.