Unite ballots more than 100 drivers for Wincanton strike
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THE UNITE union is balloting more than 100 oil tanker driver members at Wincanton for strike action over what it alleges is the firm’s decision to place the workforce on “substantially reduced terms and conditions”.
According to Unite, Wincanton has refused to withdraw plans to introduce new contracts for drivers on the Conoco Philips contract, in cluding a 20% pay cut. The ballot opens on 23 December and will close on 11 January.
A yes vote to strike action will bring operations on the contract to a standstill at Immingham, South Humberside; Kingsbury, Warwickshire and Stockton-on-Tees, and will halt deliveries by Wincanton drivers to Jet petrol stations across England. Unite national officer Matt Draper says: “Our members have had enough. Wincanton is [saying] ‘sign the new contracts or lose your job’. Wincanton is bringing us closer to casualisation of this industry. We have to ballot for industrial action to protect the terms and conditions.” Wincanton was unavailable for comment as CM went to press.