Fuel tanker drivers vote to strike as petrol prices hit record high

Fuel tanker drivers today voted in favour of strike action over safety concerns.

A date for the strike action is yet to be confirmed but there are concerns the strikes may take place over Easter weekend next month, which could cause chaos for millions of workers hoping to get away during the bank holidays. 

Drivers working for five major fuel distribution firms Turners, Norbert Dentressangle, Wincanton, BP and Hoyer – which deliver fuel to household names such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, BP, Shell and Esso – voted 69% in favour of a walkout, according to Unite Union.

Drivers at two other firms – DHL and Suckling – meanwhile, voted against striking, but in favour of some form of industrial action.

Overall, this means some 61% of all drivers supported strike action.

Unite claims drivers’ working conditions have come under ‘constant attack’, despite four of the top global oil companies posting combined profits of £106 billion last year.

'This is not about pay – this is about ensuring high safety and training standards are maintained,’ said Diana Holland, assistant general secretary of Unite, which is calling on the industry to establish minimum standards.

The government is meeting with fuel delivery companies and supermarkets to come up with a contingency plan should the strikes go ahead, including the training of army officers to deliver fuel to petrol stations.

The news comes just days after UK petrol prices hit yet another record high.

Last Friday analysts at Experian Catalist revealed that the average price of unleaded petrol had broken through the 140p a litre for the first time.

When the 3p fuel duty increase – which was confirmed by the chancellor in last week’s Budget – comes into effect in July it’s thought the price of petrol could reach 150p a litre.