Union to decide on proposals aimed at halting fuel tanker strike

A final set of proposals has been drawn up in a bid to avert strikes by fuel tanker drivers, Acas said.

• The Unite union has been given until May 21 to decide whether to accept the deal and avoid strike action

• Proposals aim to tackle drivers concerns over pensions, health and safety and terms and conditions

• The development followed 12 hours of talks between the union and officials from distribution companies.

A spokesman for the Department of Energy and Climate Change said: “It is encouraging that the parties have worked to produce a final set of proposals, and agreed to allow time for these to be put to the union membership.

“The Government continues to believe that strike action would be wrong and unnecessary and hopes that disruptive action is close to being averted.”

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.