Deal struck to prevent next round of fuel strikes

Jun 18 2008

A DEAL to resolve the bitter  fuel drivers’ pay dispute was  agreed last night, averting the  threat of further strikes.

The breakthrough came at  the end of all-day talks  between leaders of the Unite  union and managers from  haulage firms Hoyer and  Suckling Transport.

Hundreds of drivers went  on strike for four days,  leading to fuel shortages  mainly at Shell garages  across the country.

The union had warned of  further strikes this weekend,  but that has now been  averted.

A brief statement said:  “Hoyer, Suckling and Unite  are pleased to confirm that  they have successfully  concluded pay talks.''

Following yesterday’s  meeting at the union’s  headquarters in London,  Unite will recommend a new  pay deal to its drivers, details  of which were being kept  secret.

Drivers will now be balloted  over the coming week, with a  recommendation to accept.

In the meantime, all  industrial action has been  called off, including a ban on  overtime.

The drivers walked out on  strike last Friday at 6am,  returning at 6am yesterday  morning.

They picketed fuel  depots and refineries  across the country  and warned of a  further four-day  strike from this  Friday.

The Government,  industry and  motorists will  breathe a huge sigh  of relief that the  dispute has been  resolved. The union had been  seeking a pay rise to give  drivers a basic of around  £36,000 and accused Shell of  refusing to intervene in the  row.

Hundreds of garages were  still out of one or more types  of fuel yesterday, causing  continuing problems for  motorists.

Chairman of Shell James  Smith said: “We are delighted  that Hoyer and Unite have  reached this stage in their  negotiations.

“We are pleased that the  industrial action has now  been suspended. We once  again apologise for the  inconvenience which may  have been caused to our  customers across the UK.”

Business Secretary John  Hutton said: “I am sure  motorists will join me in  welcoming the end to  this industrial action.

“I want to thank the  fuel industry for  working so hard and so closely with  us to minimise  disruption, and the  driving public for  behaving responsibly  over the difficult four  days of the strike.

“Restocking at the  pumps is now under  way and we can expect  things to return to  normal over the next  few days.”

“The settlement reflects particular conditions within this sector. However, the Government remains clear, as the chief secretary said this week, that there needs to be discipline in public and private sector pay if we are to keep inflation under control.