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Tanker driver deal is fair, say fuel hauliers

3rd May 2012, Page 4
3rd May 2012
Page 4
Page 4, 3rd May 2012 — Tanker driver deal is fair, say fuel hauliers
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By Hayley Pink

FUEL DISTRIBUTION firms have slammed union Unite after some of its members rejected the latest proposals to tanker drivers over terms and conditions.

Operators also warn that the latest deal, negotiated after eight days of Acas talks, will be the final offer made, as it represents the limit of what they can offer drivers.

The criticism comes following a vote by Unite’s oil trades conference delegates to recommend a rejection of the deal in a national ballot, taking place as CM went to press.

All six firms involved in the talks – BP, DHL, Hoyer, Norbert Dentressangle, Turners (Soham) and Wincanton – believe the proposals represent a fair deal for tanker drivers, and hope they will bring an end to the threat of industrial action.

To address drivers’ concerns over pay, the proposals include the commitment to an Industry Bench marking Study as a basis for discussions regarding rates of pay.

But Unite head of media and campaigns Alex Flynn says the benchmarking proposal lacks detail and that drivers want firmer commitments. “It’s not about a pay rise, but about putting a floor on pay,” he explains.

Turners (Soham) MD Paul Day tells CM that the latest deal has addressed the main concerns raised by Unite, such as health and safety, training standards and pensions. However, he says a major stumbling block may be the issue of a national minimum level of pay, which he doesn’t believe is achievable as part of the negotiations.

“We are six individual employers, not the government. It’s not within our rights to dictate national pay levels for the industry,” says Day.

Ann Dawson, MD at ND Tankers, agrees: “With just one third of the industry represented by the employers involved, we would be unable to impose minimum pay levels on the wider industry.” A Wincanton spokeswoman says it “regrets the union’s call for rejection before its members have had the opportunity to see it”, while a Hoyer spokesman describes it as “a matter of grave concern”.

Both BP and DHL are also disappointed in the oil trade conference’s rejection of the offer.

The consultative ballot results will be announced on 11 May. Any industrial action must take place on, or before, Monday 21 May, with the union required to give seven days’ notice.


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