Fuel Strikes Threaten UK Motorists

April 3, 2012 - PRLog -- Whether you use petrol or diesel, fuel is something many of us simply can’t do without, whether it means getting to work, taking children to school or more seriously it could impact on the emergency services.

The general public seem to be getting conflicting information and there has been scare mongered which resulted in panic buying.  Petrol stations have seen long queues for fuel as a result of the news and some stations already running dry.  Hundreds of tanker drivers are now looking at going on strike because they want responsible minimum standards.  They say that a ‘turn and burn' culture is forcing drivers to deliver faster for less, raising fears about public safety.  

Ed Davey, the Energy Minister has recommended that motorists should fill up their tanks when they become half-empty in case of a possible strike by fuel tanker drivers, rather than filling up when a third full.   Although earlier in the week, the government said to fill jerry cans with petrol, although this comment has now been withdrawn!

Around 90% of petrol stations in the UK, including Shell and Esso garages and supermarket giants Tesco and Sainsbury’s are supplied by about 2,000 tanker drivers in the Unite Union.  It is important to note that no strike days have been given yet and the Union will have to give seven days notice before any strike can take place.   Acas are currently trying to set up talks between Unite, who are the UK’s biggest trade union and the parties involved in the dispute

Ed Davey said "We don't think people need to change their behaviour very significantly at the moment, I think our major advice is that people just need to do the sensible thing if they're going into the petrol station, they should get a full tank of petrol, not a half-tank of petrol, and they should top up where necessary.”

“If we can make sure the nation's cars and vans and lorries ... are going around with tanks of petrol and diesel that are fuller than normal, that will be part of the resilience for our economy so, this completely wrong strike, we can make sure that we are ready for it and it doesn't bring the economy to a standstill."

The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) states that petrol sales went up by 45% and diesel up 20% amid all the talk of a strike. Brian Madderson, chairman of RMI Petrol, said the government should have sought industry advice on how to avoid panic-buying and fuel shortages.

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