Tankers
Page 5
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THE SHELL tanker drivers' dispute concerning contract vehicles appeared to be easing as we went to press on Tuesday; but the oil companies have still to settle drivers' wages for 1980.
Transport and General Workers Union commercial transport national secretary Jack Ashwell was due to fly from Scotland to London on Wednesday for an 1 lam meeting over the Shell dispute which, at its height, had closed over 30 depots.
By Tuesday, only 16 of the 45 depots were out of action, as drivers voted to resume normal working. A Shell spokesman said he did not know why the men were returning to work, but TGWU says it was a democratic right exercised through the union.
Meanwhile, Esso has lost one third of its delivery capacity as drivers operate an overtime ban and work to rule. This is in protest against the company's rejection of a 28 per cent wage claim.
At Shell, wages have taken second place to the contract vehicles dispute, but the company has made a 22 per cent offer which includes an 18 per cent rise in basic pay.
BP's offer — it is not specifying what — has been rejected by the union, and discussions were due to continue on Friday. Texaco has also made an undisclosed offer which TGWU is putting to its members.