UK Hauliers, Energy Secretary To Discuss Strike Contingency Plans
30 March 2012 - 8:49PM
Dow Jones News
U.K. hauliers are to meet Energy Secretary Ed Davey Friday to
discuss how they could limit the impact of a possible strike by
fuel tanker drivers.
Jon Farr, an energy department spokesman, said the meeting would
take place to discuss contingency plans but they wouldn't be
discussing the dispute itself.
"The government is staying in regular contact with the parties
involved," he said.
Wincanton PLC (WIN.LN), a tanker company confirmed it had
received an invitation from the government to discuss how it could
offer help if fuel drivers go on strike, Victoria Aitchison, a
spokeswoman for the company said Friday.
Retail sales of gasoline in the U.K. have risen dramatically
since Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude advised drivers to fill
up jerry cans with gasoline in case of a strike by U.K. fuel tanker
drivers over working conditions.
Unite, the union representing the drivers, said in an email
Friday that it is continuing to work with U.K. arbitration body,
ACAS, on talks to reach a solution. A date for the strike has not
been set.
The union quoted a driver with 18 years experience who said
working conditions had "never been worse," with some drivers
brought in with only two days of training and on low pay.
Critics have accused ministers of mismanaging the strike threat
and fueling panic buying of gasoline.
Keely Scanlan, a spokeswoman for the Retail Motor Industry
Federation said Friday that the handling of the situation was
"irresponsible" and that the government should have contacted the
industry before encouraging drivers to top up their tanks if a
stoppage looked likely.
Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSA), which has one of the U.K.'s
largest gasoline station networks, said: "Shell does not have its
own distribution fleet. Our contractors, Hoyer & Suckling,
distribute our products to Shell petrol stations. Hoyer could not
be reached for comment.
"These issues are for consideration between the hauliers and
their employees. We hope a resolution can be found soon and that
any inconvenience to our customers can be avoided," a Shell
statement said.
Tanker drivers working for five of the U.K.'s seven major
fuel-distribution companies voted Monday to strike over working
conditions and health and safety practices, fueling fears of
shortages and higher prices at the pumps.
-By Jenny Gross, Dow Jones Newswires; 4420-7842-9239;
jenny.gross@dowjones.com
Wincanton (LSE:WIN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Wincanton (LSE:WIN)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024