Grangemouth BP tanker driver strike called off

By ALASTAIR DALTON
Published on 27/02/2013 19:18

BP tanker drivers at Grangemouth have called off their planned four-day strike from tomorrow over pay and pensions.

The Unite union said the action by the 42 drivers had been halted because the oil firm “did the right thing and settled with workers”.

It said following negotiations this week, BP would now recompense drivers who it said had stood to lose up to £16,000 a year on their pension value and £1,400 a year on their basic earnings because of an imminent aviation contract transfer to another firm, DHL.

Unite said they would receive the full value of the BP share-match scheme as an indefinite monthly payment, while deals had also been agreed to cover losses to pensions as a result of the transfer.

The drivers walked out for three days from Friday to Monday, but the fuel retailers and airports they supply said there had been no impact. Unite Industrial Officer Tony Trench said, “This is a magnificent result for our members who were resolute in their pursuit of pay and pension justice from BP - a company that raked in nearly £8 billion in profit last year – and firm in their collective belief that no worker should have to endure financial loss as a result of a transfer of employment.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said: “We welcome the successful conclusion of these negotiations.

“During the course of this dispute I have asked representatives of BP and Unite to resolve the issues between them through negotiation. I am encouraged that after last weekend’s industrial action both sides have now been able to resolve outstanding differences.

“In particular I am pleased that the contingency arrangements put in place to avoid disruption to members of the public proved very effective and I would like to thank all those involved across agencies and industry who played a part in ensuring that the travelling public in Scotland was unaffected.”

A BP source said: ”We were always looking for a fair and reasonable outcome for the impacted drivers, and we are pleased this agreement delivers that outcome.”