Financial News
- 26 April 2012, 9:25
Tanker Drivers Given Dispute Deal Deadline
Fuel tanker drivers have until May 21 to decide if they will accept a final set of proposals aimed at ending the threat of strike action.
The development followed 12 hours of talks between Unite and officials from distribution companies involved in the row.
Issues at the heart of the row include terms and conditions, pensions and health and safety.
Acas chief conciliator Peter Harwood said: "Following a further two days of intensive discussions, a final set of proposals has been produced by the fuel distribution contractors and Unite.
"The industrial action mandate has been extended to May 21 to enable Unite to consult with its Oils Trade Conference and the membership on these proposals.
"As I said last time, the details of the proposals are confidential until the parties report back to their respective organisations.
"After that the detail may be disclosed by the parties themselves."
A meeting of drivers' representatives is expected to be held in the next few days, probably followed by a ballot of union members.
The union reps overwhelmingly turned down a previous proposed deal, leading to fresh talks this week with officials of six distribution companies.
what do you think?
Jason Coombes
These drivers need to take a good look at themselves. They're on almost three times the money of your average private soldier fighting in Afghanistan.
John Byrne
May, will this be the start of a summer of unrest?
Richard Gould
It is out and out blackmail. Sack the lot of them.
Grant Berry
Typical union lefties only grabbing what they can for themselves then hypocritically go on about selfish capitalists. This is why we cant let Unite run the uk through liebour, keep the tories in at least they do what it says on the tin, you know where you are with them.
John Hewson
11:48pm on 24/4/2012
I'm concerned that a legitimate grievance of the tanker drivers will be hijacked for political purposes by some to 'have a go' at the government. It isn't the place of trade unions to take on governments. The people has a whole elect governments for better or worse. Trade unions need to concentrate on looking after their members interests in relation to employers.
John Byrne
9:05am on 25/4/2012
In that case John, the government. Needs to keep out of disputes. The government has been trying to make political gains with this since it began.