Proactive Investors – Petrol forecourts across the northwest of England and on the Scottish borders are hoping to avoid facing disruption this month as tanker drivers strike over pay.
Unite members working at the Stanlow oil refinery will head to the picket line on June 6-8 and then again between June 13-15.
Workers are in dispute with employer Oxalis, formerly known as Hoyer, and accuse the company of offering salaries at a significant discount to other tanker drivers working in other parts of the country.
Oxalis said it had implemented temporary plans so that its operations could continue through the period.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said: ““Oxalis is treating its Stanlow-based drivers as second-class workers.
“There is absolutely no reason why this profitable company should not be paying these workers the same rates as pay as their colleagues based elsewhere.”
An Oxalis spokesperson said: “Oxalis has offered drivers a 19% pay increase over two years. Any further increase severely compromises the viability of the operation and puts jobs at risk.
“Further talks are planned with the union and whilst we hope we can reach a mutually agreeable deal, contingency plans are fully developed and we are confident all our operations will continue should industrial action take place.”
