Strike talks continue

Updated 21.07 Wed Jun 11 2008
Keywords: industrial action, acas, unite, unions, strike, fuel, petrol, shell, business

Talks aimed at averting a strike by fuel-tanker drivers are set to go down to the wire.

Ten hours of negotiations between leaders of the Unite union and managers from two companies that deliver fuel to Shell garages across the UK ended without agreement on Wednesday.

"We want the public to continue to buy as normal" - Government spokesman

Around 500 drivers employed by Hoyer and Sucklings are due to walk out on Friday morning unless the dispute is resolved in direct talks on Thursday.

Wednesday's meeting was held under the chairmanship of the conciliation service Acas, but the two sides will hold direct talks tomorrow.

A spokesman for Unite said: "The discussions between Unite and Shell contractors Hoyer and Sucklings through Acas concluded tonight without resolution.

"Unite will be meeting with Hoyer and Sucklings tomorrow to enter into direct negotiations in an attempt to reach a deal to avert industrial action."

One in ten filling stations across the UK could be hit by the strike but Government has urged drivers not to panic-buy fuel.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "We want the public to continue to buy as normal so as to avoid creating problems that might otherwise not exist."

The Petrol Retailers Association sales have remained steady, although buying patterns suggested households were using second cars less frequently.

A spokesman said: "Anecdotally our members are saying petrol consumption is staying the same, but consumers are using it differently.

"It could be that people are doing more errands in one journey and leaving their second cars at home."

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