Wincanton says ConocoPhillips oil-tanker driver strike is unnecessary

Wincanton says it “does not understand” why its oil tanker drivers on the ConocoPhillips contract are taking industrial action.

More than 120 Wincanton drivers in the Unite union are set to commence a week long series of strike action at 5am tomorrow (24 January) in a move that will affect depots at Immingham, Lincolnshire; Kingsbury, Warwickshire; and Stockton-on-Tees.

The logistics firm, which has been in talks with both its client and the government, says: “We have always had the same objective as our drivers – to extend the current contract and provide them with job security.

“Wincanton’s tanker drivers are among the best rewarded in the UK, with average total earnings of £45,000 per annum, core working hours of 37 per week, premium overtime arrangements and a large percentage with a final salary pension.

“We started exploratory discussions with our drivers in June 2011 to establish how we could move to more flexible terms and conditions in order to deliver a market-competitive service to our customer and secure an extension of the contract when it expires.

"There was never any question that Wincanton would implement new terms and conditions without mutual agreement. These discussions were derailed by Unite, who forced a ballot for industrial action."

Early today Unite issued its own statement claiming strike action was now highly likely.

For more see this week’s Commercial Motor magazine (26 January).