Guadeloupe: Sporadic electricity outages likely to continue territory-wide as utility workers carry out strike as of Oct. 17

Sporadic power outages will likely continue across much of Guadeloupe into at least late October amid an ongoing strike by employees of the archipelago's EDF-PEI electrical utility company. The purpose of the action, which began Sept. 15, is to press for increased salaries and improved working conditions. Striking workers shut down the Pointe Jarry power distribution center Oct. 3, causing electricity outages for at least 73,000 customers in 20 of Guadeloupe's 32 townships, including Les Abymes, Baie-Mahault, Le Gosier, and Le Moule - some of the territory's most populated locations. Previous shutdowns of the facility have deprived upward of 100,000 accounts of power across Guadeloupe.

It remains unclear how long the work stoppage may last; the union leaders have thus far rejected management's proposals for a resolution and government calls for renewed negotiations. Significant business and transport disruptions are likely until the dispute is resolved.