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Week-long fuel strike grows closer: Unite calls upon employer to end attacks on workers

20 January 2012

Winter fuel strikes will return to the UK unless employers end their attacks on workers' pay and terms, Unite, the country’s biggest union, warned today (Friday 20 January).

Oil tanker drivers with the road haulage firm, Wincanton, will walk off the job this Tuesday (24 January) for seven days of strike action unless the company comes forward with proposals to end the dispute.

More than 100 Unite oil tanker drivers, working on the ConocoPhillips contract, voted by a massive 83 per cent for strike action to defend their pay and terms and conditions.
 
The Wincanton drivers work out of three of the UK’s major fuel distribution depots at Immingham, Kingsbury and Stockton-on-Tees. They will begin seven days of stoppages on Tuesday January 24 at 05.00am, and ending on Tuesday January 31 at 04.59am, unless agreement with the company is reached.

The dispute will disrupt fuel supplies to Jet forecourts, which are owned by the Texas-based oil giant ConocoPhillips.

Unite believes that ConocoPhillips has been pursuing a draconian cost-down agenda which is destabilising the industry. The union has been pushing for government and the industry to stabilise the distribution of the vital national commodity by introducing minimum standards for oil tanker drivers.

Unite national officer Matt Draper said: “The constant attack on the pay and terms and conditions of these drivers must stop.

“Oil tanker drivers play a key role in the country’s economy but the greed of the oil giants, contractors and retailers is wrecking the stability of this industry.

“ConocoPhillips holds the key to resolving this dispute. All it needs to do is commit to TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings and Protection of Employment) and work with Unite to ensure long-term stability on the contract for our members into the future.

“The ball is now in Wincanton’s court.  Unless the company moves on fairer treatment for the workforce, stoppages will begin on Tuesday 24 January and run for one week.”

Drivers operating out of Immingham will hold a mass, pre-picket rally with family and friends on Tuesday 24 January from 7am if the strike cannot be averted. Media are welcome to attend.

Where: ABP Immingham Docks, Immingham, North East Lincolnshire DN40
When: Tuesday 24 January from 7am-10am

ENDS
 
For more information please contact Chantal Chegrinec, Unite campaigns officer, on 07774 146 777 or Matt Draper on 07970 081 519.

Notes to editors:

Picket locations:

1. ABP Immingham Docks, Immingham, North East Lincolnshire DN40
2. Kingsbury oil terminal, Warwickshire Trinity Road, Kingsbury, Tamworth, Staffordshire.
3. Stockton-on-Tees in the north east.