The first in a series of strikes planned today by 400 Certas Energy tanker drivers has been called off after the fuel distributor made a new pay offer.
However, while a second walkout between January 5 and 11 has also been suspended, there is still a threat of further industrial action early in the new year as drivers still have to vote on Certas’s proposal.
The temporary reprieve announced over the weekend represents a “positive milestone” in the pay negotiations, says Certas Energy, which delivers fuel to around 400 Gulf-branded forecourts.
Unite, which represents the drivers, had warned of further strikes across two seven-day periods – January 5 to 11, then January 19 to 25 – after its members expressed dissatisfaction with an original 2% pay offer.
The trade union said at the time that when this increase was taken against inflation of 4.3%, it effectively represented a pay cut. This was disputed by Certas Energy.
The threatened strikes on December 22 and January 5-11 have been suspended to allow the workers to be balloted on the new offer, details of which have not been disclosed by either side.
A planned overtime ban, which was also due to begin today, has been suspended.
Had the industrial action taken place today, it would have caused disruption at the busiest time of the year.
If the new offer is rejected by the drivers, further industrial action could take place in the new year, which would cause “severe disruption” to fuel supply, according to Unite.
The 400 Gulf-branded filling stations delivered to by Certas represent around 5% of all UK forecourts. The company also delivers to sites that trade under other brands.
Unite’s national officer Tony Devlin says: “Following an improved last-minute offer from the employer, strike action has been suspended as a gesture of goodwill.”
Certas Energy says: “We thank the union representatives and our drivers for their willingness to keep talking right up until the last minute to find a solution. Ultimately, this agreement means our customers, across residential properties, farms, public services and businesses are not impacted during this critical time.”
