22/02/2013

Fuel Shortage Fears As BP Tanker Strike Begins

A potential BP fuel shortage is feared as 40 of the company’s tanker drivers begin a three-day strike over a pension and pay dispute.

The drivers, based at the Grangemouth oil refinery west of Edinburgh, are in dispute after BP transferred 15 drivers who specialise in supplying aviation fuel to airports to work for the delivery firm DHL.

The drivers' trade union, Unite, said BP's decision to transfer its aviation fuel deliveries to DHL, under a three-year contract, would affect pensions and pay for drivers now forced to work for the delivery company.

The stoppage, which began at 4am on Friday, will last until 8am on Monday morning and affect BP forecourts and aviation fuel supplies.

A second four-day strike will be staged from Thursday next week unless the dispute is settled, with an additional work to rule by all 40 drivers expected to start on Monday.

(H)


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