Jet has responded to negative feedback about its alleged failure to plan for the anticipated Wincanton tanker driver strike by opening up communications with dealers.

More than 120 oil tanker drivers launched seven days of strike action at three ConocoPhillips fuel terminals in Immingham, Warwickshire and Stockton-on-Tees on January 24 in a dispute over Wincanton’s proposals to slash pay by up to 20% and downgrade workers’ pensions, according to trade union Unite.

In a letter to all Jet retailers, Stefan Wulkan, manager of UK & Ireland Marketing at ConocoPhillips, said: "ConocoPhillips has ensured that all our terminals have remained open and available for product despite the strike; however, we understand that the strike has made it difficult for both collections and deliveries. We apologise for the significant disruption... and we will keep you informed of progress as information becomes available to us."

Eddie Bright, director of Brobot Petroleum, which operates 22 Jet-branded sites, said: "It is very unfortunate that Jet failed to plan any contingency despite knowing the possibility of strike action several weeks earlier. I’m sure I’m not the only Jet dealer who feels very let down when a plan could have been in place to ensure continuity of supply."

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