Union recognition protest at AGM by Rob Willock • Shell
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drivers from Coryton and Stanlow hijacked the company's annual general meeting on Friday to complain about its refusal to recognise their union.
Led by Transport & General Workers Union road transport national officer Danny Bryan, they distributed leaflets to shareholders entitled Why won't Shell listen? Two shareholder drivers went into the meeting with a petition signed by 80% of Shell Distribution's drivers to confront the chairman.
"It was a very successful day," says Bryan. "They raised their questions with the chairman and later met Shell's head of personnel to discuss their grievances, which include communications and safety.
"The Government will soon force Shell to recognise the union," he adds, "but it will be much better for the company to do it voluntarily. Some 84 of the top 100 UK companies recognise unions—why won't Shell?"
A spokeswoman for Shell UK says: "We plan to wait until the White Paper is published before holding discussions direct with our employees. Then we can determine the role of unions within Shell UK."
LI As CM went to press it was rumoured that the Government had decided union recognition will be mandatory where 40% of workers are in favour.