09 May 2012

Tanker Drivers Vote Against Strike Action

In the ongoing fuel tanker dispute re-balloted drivers have voted against strikes but in favour of other forms of industrial action.

Members of the Unite union at Hoyer voted again after some workers did not receive papers during the last ballot.

From a turnout of 79.5%, 57.5% voted for action short of a strike.

Hoyer is one of six companies involved in a dispute over minimum standards in the industry, which saw eight days of talks at conciliation service Acas.

The union said a "significant minority" - 39.2% - were in favour of strike action in the ballot of more than 500 drivers.

Unite assistant general secretary Diana Holland said: "The vote in favour of action short of a strike demonstrates that deep concerns still remain in an increasingly insecure and unstable industry.

"Tanker drivers face a daily race to the bottom where contracts are chopped and changed.

"It is in everyone's interest to bring order to the chaos gripping a vital industry through the introduction of industry wide minimum standards.

"Members are currently taking part in a consultative ballot over proposals tabled through Acas. We will be announcing the result on Friday along with the next steps of our campaign to bring stability to the industry through the introduction of minimum standards."

(H)