Drivers issued urgent warning of looming fuel crisis as strike action threatens 'significant disruption'

Around 50 Stanlow oil refinery-based drivers are frustrated at their pay offer, given that it is "significantly lower" than colleagues in other parts of the country.

The drivers, who work for Hoyer, which was recently rebranded as Oxalis, will take action over claims they are being treated in a negative way in response to their pay issues.

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The Unite union stated that Oxalis drivers in Thurrock and Birmingham have been offered £2 an hour more than the Stanlow drivers.

Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, 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 pay as their colleagues based elsewhere.

"They will receive Unite’s total support as they strike for equal pay.”

​The workers will go on strike from Thursday, June 6, to Saturday, June 8, and from Thursday, June 13, to Saturday, June 15.

Unite has warned that the industrial action will cause "significant disruption" to fuel supplies across the North West of England and Scottish borders.

The workers deliver fuel from the Stanlow oil terminal to Shell, BP and Esso forecourts across the affected areas, and Jet2 at Liverpool Airport.

The union has announced that further strike action will be called if the pay dispute is not resolved between Oxalis and the fuel workers.

Paul Lomax, regional officer at Unite, 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.”

A spokesperson for Oxalis told GB News: "Oxalis has offered drivers a 19 per cent pay increase over two years. Any further increase severely compromises the viability of the operation and puts jobs at risk.

"Further talks are planned with the Union and whilst we hope we can reach a mutually agreeable deal, contingency plans are fully developed and we are confident all our operations will continue should Industrial Action take place."

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The Government has introduced measures that could save drivers in the event of fuel shortages, which would allow tankers to temporarily carry more weight than is usually permitted.

Following a period of consultation between April and May 2023, the Government said it intended to progress such proposals to be used when fuel may be in short supply.

The proposals would make temporary exemptions from the current maximum train weight for fuel tankers of 44 tonnes and allow a maximum of either 48 or 50 tonnes.

In response to the consultation, the Department for Transport stated: "Government will, therefore, seek legal powers to make the necessary changes when Parliamentary time allows."