P&,O: strikers could lose jobs • A ballot of more
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than 100 P&O Trans European tanker drivers is expected to back strike action when the result is announced today (Thursday, 30 August).
But the company is warning employees in the spot and affreightment division, which delivers bulk chemicals, that a strike could quickly cost them their jobs.
Jackie Fraser-Smith, general manager of personnel and development, points out that most customers have no formal contract with P&O and will simply transfer the work to other hauliers. "There's a great danger that if the drivers go on strike they won't have a job to go back to," he warns.
The dispute is over harmonisation of pay and conditions across eight sites. P&O says its wage bill will remain static as a result Of the changes, but Ron Webb, Transport & General Workers Union national secretary for road transport, says they will cut average earnings by11%.
"The union understands this particular part of the industry is not doing particularly well, but what the company is attempting is to change the contract arbitrarily. It has walked out of ACAS discussions," he says.
A pay dispute is also looming among 430 P&O tanker drivers who deliver for Shell. They are being recommended by the T&G to reject a 2.1% increase in basic rates. The company says that the pay deal is worth nearly 5% when improved benefits are taken into account.