28 March 2012

Acas Offer To Mediate Talks Between Unions And Oil Firms

In an effort to avoid strike action by tanker drivers, Acas, the conciliation service, has invited trade unions and oil firms to talks.

The offer follows a vote to walk out by staff at five of seven firms involved in a dispute over terms, conditions and safety standards.

Unite wants minimum standards covering pay, hours, holiday and redundancy.

The union represents about 2,000 drivers who deliver fuel to Shell and Esso garages, as well as supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury's, covering 90% of the UK's forecourts.

The union said on Tuesday that "in a bid to squeeze profits and win contracts" corners were being cut on safety and training and drivers faced growing job insecurity.

Ed Davey, the energy secretary, has urged the union to participate in talks with the haulage firms.

But responding to the minister, Unite assistant general secretary Diana Holland said: "We have been tireless in seeking talks to avoid industrial action, but we have been frustrated at every turn."

Acas, which welcomed Mr Davey's suggestion for both parties to seek a "negotiated settlement", said it would be looking to see whether it could enable "the possibility of some form of dialogue to start".

The government's civil contingencies committee Cobra, chaired by the prime minister, will meet later to discuss plans in the event of a strike.

(H)