Shell, BP and Esso update over petrol and diesel after 'significant' warning

Petrol and diesel drivers have been issued a major update after strike action prompted "significant" fuel crisis fears. Strikes by tanker drivers across the North West of England and along the Scottish borders have been called off after agreeing to a new pay offer.

All scheduled industrial action has now been called off. As part of the deal, the workers will receive a £2.02 an hour increase backdated to May 2023, as well as a £1 an hour fuel efficiency payment also backdated to May 2023.

The Stanlow oil refinery-based drivers, who work for Hoyer, which has recently rebranded as Oxalis, voted to accept the deal after postponing their strike action last week. All scheduled industrial action has now been called off.

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Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Congratulations to Oxalis’ Stanlow tanker drivers, who stood together for better pay and won. This is yet another example of how Unite’s unrelenting focus on improving jobs, pay and conditions is boosting our members’ incomes.”

There had been warnings in the north of England and along the Scottish border that drivers would deal with "significant disruption". Unite regional officer Paul Lomax said: “This pay win could not have been secured without the hard work and solidarity of our members.

"Those looking for a better deal at work should join Unite and get their colleagues to join too.” The workers deliver fuel from the Stanlow oil terminal to Shell, BP and Esso forecourts across the affected areas, and Jet2 at Liverpool Airport.

Members of Unite based at Stanlow oil refinery in Cheshire had planned to walk out on June 6-8 and 13-15, affecting deliveries across the North West and Scottish Borders. The drivers, who work Oxalis, formerly Hoyer which recently rebranded, said their pay offer was significantly lower than that of their colleagues in other parts of the country.