Menu
13/06/2008
Oil Tanker Strike Fuels Shortage Fears
Hundreds of oil tanker drivers have gone on strike in a row over pay.
The strike which will affect around one in 10 of Britain's petrol stations, has raised fears that there will be petrol shortages over the weekend.
Union leaders have predicted that supplies could run out within 24 hours of the strike beginning.
Yesterday, Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey said that talks have broken down between the union and the employers, Hoyer and Suckling.
Mr McCluskey said: "Shell's failure to intervene in this dispute means that Shell's drivers have no alternative other than to go ahead with strike action, beginning on Friday June 13th, 2008.
"This dispute could have been resolved if Shell had advanced a fraction of the billions of pounds in profit they make every month.
"One of the world's richest companies is prepared to play Pontius Pilate and see the British public inconvenienced rather than settle this dispute for a sum smaller than the chairman's pay increase last year," he said.
Mr McCluskey added that provision had been made for fire, police and the emergency services.
Meanwhile, Shell has said that it had contingency plans in place but has admitted that some of its 1,000 petrol stations might run out of fuel.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the Government will do "everything it can" to stop pumps running dry and has refused to rule out that the Army being called in to help.
Hoyer and Suckling have said that their current pay offer of 7% will bring driver's average salary to about £41,500, which is up from the current average of £36,500.
However, it is understood that bosses are getting a pay raise of between 15% to 28%.
Bernie Holloway from Hoyer UK said that the offer has been extended to "the very limits" that the business can sustain.
Union members have set up picket lines outside a number of Shell sites including Cheshire, Plymouth, Basildon, Aberdeen and Luton Airport.
The UK Petrol Industry Association (UKPIA) says that stocks at petrol stations across the UK are at "normal levels" and that most garages would have around four days of supplies.
Business Secretary John Hutton has pushed both sides to resume negotiations.
Mr Hutton has also advised motorists to just buy the fuel that they need.
(DS)
The strike which will affect around one in 10 of Britain's petrol stations, has raised fears that there will be petrol shortages over the weekend.
Union leaders have predicted that supplies could run out within 24 hours of the strike beginning.
Yesterday, Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey said that talks have broken down between the union and the employers, Hoyer and Suckling.
Mr McCluskey said: "Shell's failure to intervene in this dispute means that Shell's drivers have no alternative other than to go ahead with strike action, beginning on Friday June 13th, 2008.
"This dispute could have been resolved if Shell had advanced a fraction of the billions of pounds in profit they make every month.
"One of the world's richest companies is prepared to play Pontius Pilate and see the British public inconvenienced rather than settle this dispute for a sum smaller than the chairman's pay increase last year," he said.
Mr McCluskey added that provision had been made for fire, police and the emergency services.
Meanwhile, Shell has said that it had contingency plans in place but has admitted that some of its 1,000 petrol stations might run out of fuel.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the Government will do "everything it can" to stop pumps running dry and has refused to rule out that the Army being called in to help.
Hoyer and Suckling have said that their current pay offer of 7% will bring driver's average salary to about £41,500, which is up from the current average of £36,500.
However, it is understood that bosses are getting a pay raise of between 15% to 28%.
Bernie Holloway from Hoyer UK said that the offer has been extended to "the very limits" that the business can sustain.
Union members have set up picket lines outside a number of Shell sites including Cheshire, Plymouth, Basildon, Aberdeen and Luton Airport.
The UK Petrol Industry Association (UKPIA) says that stocks at petrol stations across the UK are at "normal levels" and that most garages would have around four days of supplies.
Business Secretary John Hutton has pushed both sides to resume negotiations.
Mr Hutton has also advised motorists to just buy the fuel that they need.
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 July 2012
Greenpeace Protests Shut Down 53 Shell Stations
53 Shell petrol stations have been shut down by Greenpease activists in protest at the company's plans to drill for oil in the Arctic. The campaigners are attempting to shut off petrol to London's 105 Shell stations and Edinburgh's 14; 50 have been closed in London and three in Edinburgh.
Greenpeace Protests Shut Down 53 Shell Stations
53 Shell petrol stations have been shut down by Greenpease activists in protest at the company's plans to drill for oil in the Arctic. The campaigners are attempting to shut off petrol to London's 105 Shell stations and Edinburgh's 14; 50 have been closed in London and three in Edinburgh.
05 September 2007
Commuters Face Further Tube Delays
Commuters in London are still facing travel misery on the Tube, despite the fact that a 72-hour strike by maintenance workers has been called off. The RMT union called off the strike action, which began at 6pm on Monday and involved around 2,300 employees, following talks with London Underground officials.
Commuters Face Further Tube Delays
Commuters in London are still facing travel misery on the Tube, despite the fact that a 72-hour strike by maintenance workers has been called off. The RMT union called off the strike action, which began at 6pm on Monday and involved around 2,300 employees, following talks with London Underground officials.
29 March 2012
Government Criticised Over Jerrycan Advice
Shadow transport minister Mike Penning has said the government made a mistake in advising people to store petrol in jerrycans at home to prepare for a possible strike by fuel tanker drivers. The government has advised drivers to top up tanks with fuel, but to “not panic”.
Government Criticised Over Jerrycan Advice
Shadow transport minister Mike Penning has said the government made a mistake in advising people to store petrol in jerrycans at home to prepare for a possible strike by fuel tanker drivers. The government has advised drivers to top up tanks with fuel, but to “not panic”.
11 May 2004
Chinese and UK companies sign billion-dollar trade deals
British companies BP, Shell, Kingfisher and B&Q (China) have today announced their new joint ventures in China with a total value of over US$1.5 billion.
Chinese and UK companies sign billion-dollar trade deals
British companies BP, Shell, Kingfisher and B&Q (China) have today announced their new joint ventures in China with a total value of over US$1.5 billion.
09 September 2014
Heathrow Strike Action Expected On Friday
Passengers flying out of Heathrow are being told to expect delays on Friday, as the Unite union warns of strike action by ground handlers in a dispute about pay. Delays to aircraft taking off and passengers disembarking are to be expected, Unite said.
Heathrow Strike Action Expected On Friday
Passengers flying out of Heathrow are being told to expect delays on Friday, as the Unite union warns of strike action by ground handlers in a dispute about pay. Delays to aircraft taking off and passengers disembarking are to be expected, Unite said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
