Garage forecourts' fuel supplies could run dry as Grangemouth tanker drivers strike

The 40 plus drivers, who are members of Unite, are based at depots in Grangemouth, Essex, Stockport and West London. The workers are part of the Phillips 66 contract that supplies fuel to Jet Garages.

Unite says the dispute is a result of the drivers being paid £5 an hour less than drivers employed by other hauliers on the same contract and having poorer terms and conditions.

Strike action will begin at 4am on Monday, March 27 for an initial week for the JW Suckling strikes in Essex and West London and for the Hoyer dispute in the North West, while workers employed by JW Suckling at Grangemouth will be taking all out continuous strike action from 4am on that day.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members are simply seeking a fair day’s pay. There is no reason on earth why some hauliers can afford to pay a fair higher rate than others. This is all about the companies involved boosting their profits at the expense of workers.

“Unite has a laser like focus on the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the workers at JW Suckling and Hoyer will receive the Unite’s complete support.”

The strike action will affect Jet Garages across Scotland, an area from Southampton to Norwich and also from North Staffordshire to Carlisle.

Unite regional officer Nick West, who represents the Essex and West London drivers, said: “The forthcoming strike action will inevitably cause huge disruption to Jet Garages but this dispute is the fault of JW Suckling, Hoyer and Phillips, all of which could have resolved this dispute but chose not to.”

Unite regional officer Lyn Turner, who represents the workers at Grangemouth, added: “The strike action is set to result in Jet Garages across Scotland running out of fuel. Our members are simply not prepared to accept less money than fellow drivers for the same work any longer.”