Tanker drivers win 24% rise

Tanker drivers working on a contract for the Morrisons supermarket chain have won a pay increase of 24%, the Unite general union has reported.

The 150 drivers, who are employed by Fuel Transport & Logistics, had balloted for industrial action in a dispute over pay, but, Unite says, following a strong “yes” vote for strikes, further talks were held with the company.

These reportedly agreed that the workers would receive a 13.5% increase for 2022, a 10.5% increase for 2023 and a guarantee that next year all drivers’ salaries will increase to £65,000 a year.

Unite has also confirmed that around 1,200 contractors have resumed 48-hour strike action this week in an increasingly bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions in the offshore sector (see previous issues).

The latest 48-hour strike affects oil and gas operators including Apache, BP, Harbour Energy, Enquest, Ithaca, Repsol, Shell and TAQA, the union said.

John Boland, Unite industrial officer, stated: “We are witnessing the biggest wave of industrial action in a generation in the offshore sector.

“Around 1,200 offshore workers [are taking part] in the latest phase of offshore industrial action, and believe us when we say this is causing widespread disruption to the operations of oil and gas corporations.”