Drivers 'intimidated' in protest, says T8i,G
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• by Dominic Perry
Tanker drivers faced an orchestrated campaign of intimidation during last month's fuel protest, according to drivers union the Transport 84 General Workers Union.
It has produced a dossier of more than 30 incidents reported by its members, including: • A brick thrown through one driver's windscreen; • Protesters threatening to follow drivers on their journeys;
• Drivers videoed by proles, tors and threatened that their pictures would be downloaded onto the Internet; NI A driver forced off the road by a haulage contractor.
In addition they claim that police and oil companies did lit tie or nothing to help end the blockades, and the Shell-owned Jarrow refinery even let protesters meet on the premises.
A 1-84G spokesman says that the union supports the aims of the protest, but cannot condone the intimidation of its members. "Our drivers have a huge responsibility, because they are in charge of what amounts to a bomb," he adds. "They have to ensure that it is safe to go about their jobs, and their safety was being compromised."
All the incidents have been thoroughly checked and can be verified, he adds.
The police say they were not aware of any violence or threats at the time, and treated the protest as peaceful. However, they have produced conti gency plans to protect drivers demonstrations flare up aga Frank Steers, a member the Fuel Forum, says he saw intimidation at the blockade the Purfleet refinery, but cm not comment on other areas.
He has branded the T& dossier as "government prop ganda" and "dirty tricks", cc eluding: "It's very annoying th people have to stoop so low get the upper hand."