Fuel Shortage Looms as North West Tanker Drivers Strike Over Pay Inequality

Tanker drivers supplying forecourts and aviation fuel across the North West and Scottish borders, will strike over pay this week, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said .

Around 50 Stanlow oil refinery-based drivers, who work for Hoyer, which has recently rebranded as Oxalis, are angry that their pay offer is significantly lower than that of their colleagues in other parts of the country. For example, Oxalis drivers in Thurrock and Birmingham have been offered £2 an hour more than the Stanlow drivers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Oxalis is treating its Stanlow-based drivers as second-class workers. There is absolutely no reason why this profitable company should not be paying these workers the same rates as pay as their colleagues based elsewhere. They will receive Unite’s total support as they strike for equal pay.”

The workers deliver fuel from the Stanlow oil terminal to Shell, BP and Esso forecourts predominantly across the North West and Scottish borders, as well as to airlines, including Jet2 at Liverpool airport.

The workers will strike from 6 to 8 June and 13 to 15 June. The industrial action will cause significant disruption to fuel supplies across the North West and Scottish borders. Further strike will be called if the dispute is not resolved.

Unite regional officer Paul Lomax said: “Oxalis’ clients will not be happy that their customers face fuel shortages because the company is trying to pay its Stanlow-based drivers less than their colleagues doing the same job elsewhere. Oxalis needs to put forward an equal offer or this dispute will escalate.”