Esso drivers accept 22 per cent deal
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THERE were sighs of relief all round this week when Esso tanker drivers voted to accept the company's 22 per cent wage package and withdraw their six week old overtime ban and work-to-rule, writes ALAN MILLAR.
Transport and General Workers Union commercial group secretary Jack Ashwell announced the decision on Monday, following a two and a half hour meeting with shop stewards.
A ballot of the 2000 drivers produced a result narrowly in favour of the company's offer which raises the basic rate for 40 hours by 17.95 per cent to £92. Fringe increases take the package to 22 per cent, and Esso says most of its drivers will earn up to £150 per week.
Drivers at Esso's provincial depots all resumed normal working on Tuesday, but the two London terminals — West London (Stanwell) and Purfleet — were totally paralysed for another 24 hours.
The West London men came out last week over a related dispute, and were joined by the Purfleet men who struck, ironically, at the same time as they voted in favour of accepting Esso's offer.
Esso says it is looking forward to a resumption of nor mal business after a dispute which has cost it at least one third of its delivery capacity.
But a spokesman did warn CM that it will take 10 to 14 days before everything resumes a normal pattern.
The settlement removes one of the last clouds from the lorry drivers' wage horizon this winter, as drivers at Shell and BP have been working normally through their wage negotiations. While Jack Ashwell said on Monday that there was no connection between the Esso deal and negotiations elsewhere, a Shell spokesman conceded that it was "bound to affect" the mood among his staff.
Shell's 1500 drivers have been offered a very similar deal — basic pay up from £78 to £92, plus fringe increases which give a 22 per cent package — and their decision is expected later this month.
BP has also made an offer, but will not be drawn as to its nature. Its 1200 drivers are being balloted, and a result is expected within the next two weeks.