This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/feb/22/petrol-bp-tanker-drivers-strike

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Petrol supplies under threat as BP tanker drivers strike Petrol supplies under threat as BP tanker drivers strike
(about 1 month later)
Motorists in Scotland and north-east England face fuel shortages at BP petrol stations after 40 of the company's tanker drivers began a three-day strike.Motorists in Scotland and north-east England face fuel shortages at BP petrol stations after 40 of the company's tanker drivers began a three-day strike.
The drivers, based at the Grangemouth oil refinery west of Edinburgh, are in dispute over pay and pensions after BP transferred 15 drivers who specialise in supplying aviation fuel to airports to work for the delivery firm DHL.The drivers, based at the Grangemouth oil refinery west of Edinburgh, are in dispute over pay and pensions after BP transferred 15 drivers who specialise in supplying aviation fuel to airports to work for the delivery firm DHL.
The stoppage, which began at 4am on Friday, will last until 8am on Monday morning and affect BP forecourts and aviation fuel supplies.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.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.
BP insisted there would be "minimal disruption" for its customers, including major airports in Scotland and commercial customers, as well as its forecourts across Scotland and a small number in north-east England.BP insisted there would be "minimal disruption" for its customers, including major airports in Scotland and commercial customers, as well as its forecourts across Scotland and a small number in north-east England.
A spokesman said the company had prepared for the strike. "We've been aware of this strike as it has been a real prospect since the beginning of this week. We've been doing a lot of contingency planning: extra deliveries, other drivers coming from elsewhere to deliver to those sites affected and ensuring additional stock levels at those sites, to ensure minimal disruption for our customers," he said.A spokesman said the company had prepared for the strike. "We've been aware of this strike as it has been a real prospect since the beginning of this week. We've been doing a lot of contingency planning: extra deliveries, other drivers coming from elsewhere to deliver to those sites affected and ensuring additional stock levels at those sites, to ensure minimal disruption for our customers," he said.
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 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.
Tony Trench, Unite's regional industrial officer, said: "It's an outrage that BP, a multinational giant which earns billions every year, is exploiting the UK's weak employment laws to effectively swindle workers out of their retirement savings and future earnings.Tony Trench, Unite's regional industrial officer, said: "It's an outrage that BP, a multinational giant which earns billions every year, is exploiting the UK's weak employment laws to effectively swindle workers out of their retirement savings and future earnings.
"This year, one-third of workers on the aviation contract at Grangemouth could lose up to £13,000 a year from their pension on retirement and two-thirds upwards of £1,400 a year from their basic earnings due to the loss of the BP share-match scheme.""This year, one-third of workers on the aviation contract at Grangemouth could lose up to £13,000 a year from their pension on retirement and two-thirds upwards of £1,400 a year from their basic earnings due to the loss of the BP share-match scheme."
Five drivers affected are understood to have final-salary pension schemes and specific deals with BP, which the union said would not be protected under the Tupe legislation protecting pay for staff whose jobs are transferred to a new employer.Five drivers affected are understood to have final-salary pension schemes and specific deals with BP, which the union said would not be protected under the Tupe legislation protecting pay for staff whose jobs are transferred to a new employer.
guardian.co.uk today is our daily snapshot of the top news stories, sent to your inbox at 8am Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.