Fuel tanker strikes ditched, but talks continue - Road Transport.com

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Fuel tanker strikes ditched, but talks continue

Threats of strike action by fuel tanker drivers this month have receded, but a union-led campaign targeted at improving pay and conditions for members has not been abandoned, says Unite.

The trade union tells MT that positive progress has been made between employers and employees. This follows a letter from Unite to fuel sector operators including BP, Shell and Esso, as well as retailers Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda,warning of potential industrial action by some of Britain's 3,000 fuel tanker drivers in response to a "squeezing of their conditions".

A Unite spokesman says: "A week ago a number of tanker drivers had a conference to address the letter we sent out. It was agreed that we need to step up our efforts to get employers and retailers to engage with Unite to address issues of pay, conditions and low morale in the sector.


"There are no strikes planned, but we are cont-inuing with the campaign to work on the problems that tanker drivers face."

He confirms some operators have indicated they will meet with Unite to discuss the dispute, but would not reveal which companies had responded to the letter.

Unite says the increased use of alternative contractors willing to undercut rivals has driven down wages, while tanker driver members have reported a "brutal management style" with "little protection for staff".

Ron Webb, Unite's national officer for logistics said when the letter was sent out: "We have consistently warned the oil employers that their strategy of attacking wages and squeezing more and more out of their drivers, but giving them less and less in return, will backfire."

Wincanton, which runs fuel tankers, would not comment on the dispute because "contract negotiations are a private matter". However, the firm maintains it has a good relationship with its fuel tanker driver employees.


Meanwhile, TransAction founder Mike Presneill tells MT, that in the event of a strike by tanker drivers, the pressure group would urge the industry to support all tanker drivers, given their support for fuel duty protests in previous years.