Fina transfers drivers to UT following union row
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• Belgian oil company Fina has transferred its tanker drivers and depot staff to United Transport (UK) following a dispute over collective bargaining and union derecognition.
The 129 drivers and six depot staff had voted in favour of industrial action to protest against Fina's decision to end collective bargaining with the Transport and General Workers Union and impose personal contracts in line with the rest of its staff.
Fina had offered drivers a 4% cut in working hours with no reduction in pay if they accept ed personal contracts, but the company has responded to the strike ballot by contracting out its distribution operation to United Transport.
The staff, who work out of depots at Immingham, Sunderland, Stanlow, Kingsbury, Avonmouth and Bunsfield, have all been transferred to United Transport under the Acquired Rights Directive.
Their conditions of employment have not changed, according to Adrian Best, European development director at United Transport parent BET.
United Transport, which currently employs 800 drivers, will lease Fina's fleet of 100 tankers to supply the oil company's 600 service stations. Last month United Transport won a ..£5m contract to distribute oil products for Shell UK.
Fina says it would have preferred to keep distribution inhouse, but hopes the deal with United Transport will result in operational efficiencies.