This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7455755.stm

The article has changed 34 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Talks to resume in Shell dispute Talks to resume in Shell dispute
(10 minutes later)
Fresh talks in the pay dispute between haulage firms contracted to Shell and their striking tanker drivers will take place on Monday, the Unite union says.Fresh talks in the pay dispute between haulage firms contracted to Shell and their striking tanker drivers will take place on Monday, the Unite union says.
It comes as more petrol stations in Britain ran out of fuel, with just over 7% out of unleaded and diesel fuels.It comes as more petrol stations in Britain ran out of fuel, with just over 7% out of unleaded and diesel fuels.
The drivers are set to hold a second four-day stoppage next weekend if the dispute is not resolved.The drivers are set to hold a second four-day stoppage next weekend if the dispute is not resolved.
The strike, affecting England, Wales and Scotland, began on Friday when earlier talks over pay broke down.The strike, affecting England, Wales and Scotland, began on Friday when earlier talks over pay broke down.
The haulage companies say unions rejected a pay offer taking the drivers' average salary to £41,500 by January 2009, but Unite says the offer would have increased salaries from just under £32,000 to £36,000.The haulage companies say unions rejected a pay offer taking the drivers' average salary to £41,500 by January 2009, but Unite says the offer would have increased salaries from just under £32,000 to £36,000.
The workers are not due to return to work until 0600 BST on Tuesday, and have mounted picket lines at terminals and fuel sites across the country.The workers are not due to return to work until 0600 BST on Tuesday, and have mounted picket lines at terminals and fuel sites across the country.
'Back at table''Back at table'
Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite, said both sides would be back at the negotiating table to try to end the dispute.Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite, said both sides would be back at the negotiating table to try to end the dispute.
THE SHELL PAY STRIKE The striking drivers work for two companies, Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, contracted to ShellIndustrial action began when pay talks broke down this weekThe companies say unions rejected a pay offer taking the drivers' average salary to £41,500 by January 2009 But the Unite union says the offer would have increased salaries from just under £32,000 to £36,000The drivers are planning a second four-day stoppage next week if the dispute is not settled Rush to pumps is a trickleIs your area affected?THE SHELL PAY STRIKE The striking drivers work for two companies, Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, contracted to ShellIndustrial action began when pay talks broke down this weekThe companies say unions rejected a pay offer taking the drivers' average salary to £41,500 by January 2009 But the Unite union says the offer would have increased salaries from just under £32,000 to £36,000The drivers are planning a second four-day stoppage next week if the dispute is not settled Rush to pumps is a trickleIs your area affected?
"We're hoping and we'll be working hard to try and conclude a satisfactory resolution to the dispute," he said."We're hoping and we'll be working hard to try and conclude a satisfactory resolution to the dispute," he said.
The striking drivers work for two companies, Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, which are contracted to Shell.The striking drivers work for two companies, Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, which are contracted to Shell.
Bernie Holloway, a director of Hoyer, said: "We are pleased that this step forward has been made and will make every effort to draw these talks to a successful conclusion."Bernie Holloway, a director of Hoyer, said: "We are pleased that this step forward has been made and will make every effort to draw these talks to a successful conclusion."
Shell runs one in 10 of the country's fuel stations, but industry sources suggest its market share could be up to 17%.Shell runs one in 10 of the country's fuel stations, but industry sources suggest its market share could be up to 17%.
James Smith, chairman of Shell UK, welcomed news that talks would start again.James Smith, chairman of Shell UK, welcomed news that talks would start again.
Unite union spokesman says talks with Shell will resume Len McClusky says talks are 'hopefully' good news
"I think what everyone hopes for is a good and fair settlement - and let's hope that's what we see tomorrow morning," he said."I think what everyone hopes for is a good and fair settlement - and let's hope that's what we see tomorrow morning," he said.
On Sunday, 647 petrol stations out of 8,700 in England, Scotland and Wales were out of the standard fuels, compared with 112 on Saturday, a spokesman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said.On Sunday, 647 petrol stations out of 8,700 in England, Scotland and Wales were out of the standard fuels, compared with 112 on Saturday, a spokesman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said.
But the Petrol Retailers Association says motorists now know supplies will not run out.But the Petrol Retailers Association says motorists now know supplies will not run out.
Supply is reportedly tightest in south-west and north-west England and central Scotland.Supply is reportedly tightest in south-west and north-west England and central Scotland.
• Texaco said it was "bearing up and coping" and that between 30 and 40 of its stations around the country had run out of some kind of fuel grade, most commonly either unleaded or petrol.• Texaco said it was "bearing up and coping" and that between 30 and 40 of its stations around the country had run out of some kind of fuel grade, most commonly either unleaded or petrol.
• Esso said some of its three fuel grades may have run out at some of its sites, but that it was working "round the clock" to keep up deliveries. It also asked for people to only buy what fuel they needed.• Esso said some of its three fuel grades may have run out at some of its sites, but that it was working "round the clock" to keep up deliveries. It also asked for people to only buy what fuel they needed.
• BP said it did not have any major reports of fuel "stocking out" but that demand remained high and it was continuing to monitor the situation.• BP said it did not have any major reports of fuel "stocking out" but that demand remained high and it was continuing to monitor the situation.
The Scottish government said figures north of the border showed fewer than 1% of filling stations had run dry and demand from consumers remained normal.The Scottish government said figures north of the border showed fewer than 1% of filling stations had run dry and demand from consumers remained normal.
There have been reports of some patchy shortages of diesel on stretches on the A9. Sites in Inverness have also reported some shortages of diesel, while some forecourts in Aviemore are rationing sales to customers.There have been reports of some patchy shortages of diesel on stretches on the A9. Sites in Inverness have also reported some shortages of diesel, while some forecourts in Aviemore are rationing sales to customers.
Petrol stations in parts of Wales saw some panic buying, with customers filling up jerry cans with fuel.Petrol stations in parts of Wales saw some panic buying, with customers filling up jerry cans with fuel.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown had urged both sides of the dispute to resume negotiations, adding that contingency plans were in place to minimise the effects of the walkout.Prime Minister Gordon Brown had urged both sides of the dispute to resume negotiations, adding that contingency plans were in place to minimise the effects of the walkout.