06 February
123 oil tanker drivers, employed by
haulage firm Wincanton on the
ConocoPhillips contract to deliver fuel
to Jet forecourts, began their second
week of strike action on Friday 3rd
February.
They are taking action to try to force
their employers to give them assurances
about their future employment because
Wincanton's current 5 year contract ends
in June so now they are on a rolling 6
month contract which means they could be
given notice at any time. Having just
seen ConocoPhillips give their office
staff at the Immingham refinery depot 90
days notice, the drivers are
understandably worried about their
futures.
The drivers, all Unite members, are
rightly proud of the professional
standards they achieve in a potentially
dangerous industry. They are
worried that the race to the bottom that
the bosses are wanting to implement will
not only throw them out of work or cut
their hard won terms and conditions, but
lead to a reduction in heath and safety,
cover-ups and ultimately a disaster! One
driver told me that he thought Conoco
wanted to get out of delivery altogether
and say to dealers "Here's a field with
oil in it, come and get your own
supplies."
In a tactical move, the drivers
suspended their strike on Saturday
morning calling on Wincanton and
ConocoPhillips to enter meaningful
talks. However, if these are not
forthcoming, then notice has already
been served of another 7 days strike
action starting on Thursday 9th
February.
