Bryan HayTanker drivers supplying forecourts and aviation fuel across the North West and Scottish borders will strike over pay next week, Unite, the UK’s leading union, announced today.
Around 50 drivers based at the Stanlow oil refinery, employed by Hoyer (recently rebranded as Oxalis), are striking because 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 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 strike will take place from 6 to 8 June and 13 to 15 June, causing significant disruption to fuel supplies in the affected regions. Further strikes 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.”
