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Petrol tanker drivers' union considers one-hour strike Petrol tanker drivers' union considers one-hour strike
(about 3 hours later)
The Unite trade union is considering declaring a one-hour petrol delivery strike on Friday next week in an effort to meet an industrial action deadline without causing widespread disruption.The Unite trade union is considering declaring a one-hour petrol delivery strike on Friday next week in an effort to meet an industrial action deadline without causing widespread disruption.
The move comes as Unite prepares to reballot members at Hoyer, which accounts for a quarter of its 2,000 driver members, after the fuel distributor raised legal objections over the initial ballot.The move comes as Unite prepares to reballot members at Hoyer, which accounts for a quarter of its 2,000 driver members, after the fuel distributor raised legal objections over the initial ballot.
It is understood that Unite is considering the move because a token walkout would allow the union to maintain its strike mandate for a further three months – giving petrol tanker drivers more time to reach a deal with employers.It is understood that Unite is considering the move because a token walkout would allow the union to maintain its strike mandate for a further three months – giving petrol tanker drivers more time to reach a deal with employers.
A source said: "This would have no impact on fuel supply. It also gets rid of false deadlines because the union could be going through this scenario every Friday otherwise."A source said: "This would have no impact on fuel supply. It also gets rid of false deadlines because the union could be going through this scenario every Friday otherwise."
Under another scenario being considered by both sides, Unite could be granted an extension to its mandate until 5pm on Tuesday next week. Talks are already scheduled to take place at Acas on Monday.
The reballot of members at Hoyer, which delivers on behalf of Shell, means that 533 of Unite's 2,000 tanker drivers will not take part in the token strike action regardless. A new ballot is expected to close in mid-May. It is understood that Hoyer raised legal concerns over Unite's failure to ballot all of its members at the company.The reballot of members at Hoyer, which delivers on behalf of Shell, means that 533 of Unite's 2,000 tanker drivers will not take part in the token strike action regardless. A new ballot is expected to close in mid-May. It is understood that Hoyer raised legal concerns over Unite's failure to ballot all of its members at the company.
Under the terms of the 1992 Trade Union and Labour Relations Act, Unite must declare strike action by 5pm this Friday or the mandate protecting tanker drivers' right to strike will expire. As a consequence, Unite must either seek an extension from the fuel distributors who employ the drivers or trigger a lengthier extension of the mandate by calling some form of industrial action.Under the terms of the 1992 Trade Union and Labour Relations Act, Unite must declare strike action by 5pm this Friday or the mandate protecting tanker drivers' right to strike will expire. As a consequence, Unite must either seek an extension from the fuel distributors who employ the drivers or trigger a lengthier extension of the mandate by calling some form of industrial action.
The one-hour strike would involve drivers at five of the seven distributors where ballots took place. Drivers at DHL, one of two companies where the vote rejected strike action, would hold a 24-hour overtime ban. A source said the industrial action would have the sole purpose of extending the mandate.The one-hour strike would involve drivers at five of the seven distributors where ballots took place. Drivers at DHL, one of two companies where the vote rejected strike action, would hold a 24-hour overtime ban. A source said the industrial action would have the sole purpose of extending the mandate.
Meanwhile, the Acas conciliation service is attempting to renew talks between Unite and fuel distributors after the union rejected peace proposals this week.Meanwhile, the Acas conciliation service is attempting to renew talks between Unite and fuel distributors after the union rejected peace proposals this week.
Unite is locked in a dispute with fuel distributors over introducing minimum standards for pay, safety and training. Speaking on Wednesday, Unite's assistant general secretary, Diana Holland, expressed optimism that a deal can be reached. Unite is locked in a dispute with fuel distributors over introducing minimum standards for pay, safety and training. Speaking on Wednesday, Unite's assistant general secretary, Diana Holland, expressed optimism that a deal could be reached.
"As we have said all along, do not panic. It is very clear at this point in time that we are not on strike and that we have not announced that we are going on strike … We feel we are able to reach a solution in this dispute and we are determined to do so.""As we have said all along, do not panic. It is very clear at this point in time that we are not on strike and that we have not announced that we are going on strike … We feel we are able to reach a solution in this dispute and we are determined to do so."