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Press Release

Jet fuel driver strike solid as Unite slams oil industry greed

24 January 2012

More than 120 Jet fuel drivers, working out of three of the UK's major oil terminals, are on strike over punitive 20 per cent cuts in pay and terms and conditions.

The workers walked off the job at 5am this morning at the start of a seven-day strike that will see fuel supplies to Jet's 381 forecourts hit. Unite reports that tankers are not crossing the picket line. In Kingsbury, 12 Texaco trucks on run by Wincanton refused to cross the picket line to work and roughly four more trucks turned back. At Immingham, no truck crossed the picket line with at least seven turning around rather than enter the site.

Unite commended the courage of the workers who are determined to stop Texas-based oil giant, ConocoPhillips, from forcing down their terms and conditions. Unite said that with pre- tax profits in the billions and soaring by 35.7 per cent last year, ConocoPhilips could easily afford to pay the drivers' employer, Wincanton, a fair rate for the contract.

According to the accounts for Conoco Philips Holding, profits before tax increased by £544,100,000 - a whacking 35.7 per cent - from £1,524,500,000 to £2,068,500,000 in the 2010, the last available figures.

Directors' remuneration has increased by £500,000 - or 41.7 per cent - from £1,200,000 in the same year.

Speaking from the picket line in Immingham, Unite national officer Matt Draper said: "This is another example of corporate greed destroying the livelihoods of ordinary people. ConocoPhilips makes billions in profits, they are simply beyond belief. Yet their greed knows no end. They could easily afford to pay Wincanton a fair rate for the job, in turn stopping these grasping assaults on workers' pay.

"Behind me Jet trucks are standing idle. It won't be long before supply at the pumps is hit. Conoco Phillips cannot wash their hands of this - their greed is directly hitting supply. Consumers will know where the blame lies and that is firmly in their boardroom.

"Our members are determined to defend their livelihoods. The drivers will be out for 24 hours for seven days until a fair resolution can be reached."



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