P&O drivers vote on strike action
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by Sally Nash • The Transport & General Workers Union is balloting 120 P&O tanker drivers for strike action over the company's position on working terms and conditions.
The row centres on P&O's bitumen contract for BP in Essex. Negotiations between P&O and the union broke down over running times, loading and discharge times and rest hours, says TGWU national secretary Danny Bryan. He says BP has already agreed to cut running times and loading times but P&O has refused after discussions with the union.
TGWU is balloting 120 dri
vers over the next two weeks. although only 12 drivers work on the bitumen contract. because P&O could bring in the others for the work.
The move confirms the TGWU's threat of strikes last month when it said industrial action would be inevitable unless drivers terms and conditions are improved. The union is calling for rest breaks of at least 12 hours in every 24; lower hourly mileage targets; uniform rates of pay for the same job, and realistic running times.
BP, Linfox and Tankfreight have said they will pay drivers on the same work and contract the same rates.