Oil tanker drivers at Wincanton, working on a contract for ConocoPhillips, have voted in favour of industrial action.
Strike action was backed by 83% of the drivers, who deliver on behalf of the oil company to Jet forecourts across the UK. Vote turnout amongst the 123 union drivers was 96%.
According to Unite, Wincanton has refused to withdraw plans to introduce new contracts for drivers on the ConocoPhilips contract, including a 20% pay cut.
Matt Draper, Unite national officer, says: “The Wincanton dispute is symptomatic of the wider problems in the petrol industry which is becoming increasingly unstable as the oil giants, contractors and retailers fight it out to drive down costs to the detriment of the drivers and the safe delivery of fuel.”
Unite will release strike details shortly, but has previously claimed that a yes vote will bring operations on the contract to a standstill at Immingham, South Humberside; Kingsbury, Warwickshire and Stockton-on-Tees and will halt deliveries by Wincanton drivers to Jet petrol stations across England.
A spokeswoman for Wincanton says: "We are committed to resolving this matter without the need for industrial action, and this commitment is also supported by Unite.
"Both Unite and Wincanton are keen to meet as soon as practically possible to discuss the outcome of the ballot and explore all opportunities for an amicable and workable resolution."
Year: 2009 | Body Type: Tanker | Registration: DK09GPO | Mileage: 151,828 km | Power: 12,900 bhp | Category: Tankers
Year: 2011 | Body Type: Tanker | Cab Type: Day | Registration: NX61CXO | Mileage: 212,959 km | Category: Tankers
Year: 2019 | Body Type: Tanker | Cab Type: Day | Registration: YK19RZZ | Mileage: 192,910 km | Power: 253 bhp
