Fuel strike: Talks with union continue into the night

Conciliation service Acas has now chaired seven days of talks with leaders of the Unite union to try to reach a deal with distribution companies over a number of issues including pensions and terms and conditions.

Under employment law the union faced a deadline of today for calling any strikes, and will have to give seven days notice of any walkouts.

Acas chief conciliator Peter Harwood said: “Both parties have made confidential arrangements to enable Acas talks to continue into the evening.

“Therefore you will appreciate that no further details can be given at this stage.”

Tanker drivers’ representatives overwhelmingly turned down a proposed agreement last week despite progress being made on some of the issues involved in the row.

The latest talks involve Hoyer, even though Unite is to re-ballot its members at the firm after the union discovered that a number of its members had not received ballot papers during the original voting last month.

Unite represents around 530 drivers at Hoyer, one of the biggest distribution firms, which delivers fuel to Esso and Shell garages.

The Hoyer workers, who voted 59.7 per cent in favour of strikes in a turnout of almost 80 per cent in the previous ballot, will vote again, between Thursday to May 8.

After the row flared last month the Government advised motorists to top up their cars with petrol and to store fuel in jerry cans, leading to panic buying and shortages of supplies.

There were chaotic scenes at garages as long queues built up, leading to criticism of the Government for the way they handled the dispute.

Despite the rejection of the deal by drivers’ leaders, progress was made on a number of issues including pensions, health and safety and training.