Fuel tanker drivers talks go to wire

Talks aimed at resolving the fuel tanker drivers were continuing down to the wire last night as the deadline for action loomed.

Leaders of the Unite union have now held seven days of talks under the chairmanship of the conciliation service Acas to try to reach a deal with distribution companies to end a row over a number of issues including pensions and terms and conditions.

The union faced a legal deadline yesterday for calling any strikes, and will have to give seven days notice of any walkouts.

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Acas chief conciliator Peter Harwood said last night: “Both parties have made confidential arrangements to enable Acas talks to continue into the evening. Therefore no further details can be given.”

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

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

Unite represents around 530 drivers at Hoyer, 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 pc in the previous ballot, will vote again, between Thursday and May 8.

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