After months of rising fuel prices things could be about to get worse for drivers as a group of fuel tanker drivers are planning to strike this weekend.
The Shell tanker drivers are planning a walk out between Friday and Tuesday in a dispute over pay. Shell operates one in ten of Britain’s petrol stations.
Are you worried the strike could affect you?
Negotiations are under way in an effort to avoid the strike.
The government’s business secretary John Hutton said he did not think a strike was justified.
What is your opinion of the strike? How do you think it will affect you?
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14 Comments
June 10, 2008 at 11:32 am
I’m happy. They should strike for longer actually and bring everything to a stop.
June 10, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I give my full support to the drivers.
I hope they get the increase in wages there looking for.
Alot of drivers have to do long hours to make up for the poor basic wage.
June 10, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I fully support the strike. These fat cats need to be taught a lesson.
June 10, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Shouldn’t affect me really, but good luck to them
June 10, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I am going on holiday to Italy by car . This is all I need.
June 11, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Thanks for support guys, I am one of those bad drivers. The fact is we are on under 32,000 a year. Not what media has been publishing. Also all this average earnings of 39 thousand is if you live in a cab and dont have time off and nobody wether in our industry or anywhere else should have to do that. Some peope will say that is good money for a driver, yes it is but we dont just drive we load, unload, and basically tug a 44 ton bomb around all day.
What we are asking is that our basic wage is increased up to the same as other drivers in the industry. Shell made 16 billion in profit even if you gave each driver a 5000 increase which is not wat we are asking that would only be a quarter of a million not even a scrach on the profit. Again thanks , fingers crossed it dont happen but there isnt going to be a fuel shortage just have to use other sites…
June 12, 2008 at 11:31 am
not really bothered either way,this country is in a kess anyway,so give the tanker drivers more monney dangerous job?
er how bout the squaddies in iraq & afghan?and some of them on 12,500 a year,dangerous?lets get priorites in order first we pay the troops,then the health service,sort & crime on the streets,7 maybe if we all decide to carry on using motor cars we pay the tanker drivers more you think?
June 12, 2008 at 11:25 pm
As a pensioner, I’d love to get “under 32 grand” a year. Solution is easy - don’t buy Shell petrol again EVER… and then the drivers won’t need to deliver so often and most of them will probably be out of a job and on a reasonable income on the dole.
June 13, 2008 at 11:37 am
Lets all buy our petrol at the local supermarket, all the drivers can then join the army and help my son who is regulary shot at and spat at for less than £18000 a year.
June 13, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I heard today that the tanker drivers are on a flat wage of about £31,500 which hasn’t changed in 15 years. If you add 2.5% for inflation each year they would be on about £45,500 pa today. Sounds to me like 15 years ago they had a great deal. Today it might be argued that this is still a good wage when compared to A&E Nurses £25k, Police after 5 years £28k, Firemen £21k and Armed Forces on active service £26k. All of whom risk personnel injury and danger daily. Personally I think they should consider themselves lucky they had it so good for so long and get back to work.
June 14, 2008 at 1:22 am
Right on Simon.
Now I was and still am ‘left-wing’.That is the reason I’m against the strike.I know the oil companies are greedy but surely any excess profits should go towards reducing pump prices[along with the goverment].
Anyway,I worked[and my wife still does]for the N.H.S.[no-not admin.] after many years of training,a degree etc.for a pittance[8% over three years offered and mostly accepted]. Why?
We can go on strike,but what would happen-’OH THESE WICKED PEOPLE LETTING MY BABY DIE’.[Many of those I have saved].Actully just one N.H.S. strike is what is needed[I just hope the first patient to die doesn't do do it too long drawn out and painfuly]. It makes me recall the’winter of discontent’ myths-you know-gravediggers and all that.
No.The only people who strike nowadays are the ones who can AFFORD it and want their fifteen minutes of ‘fame’.
They do look pathetic[and guilty] lining up-goolies off methinks.
June 14, 2008 at 10:11 am
Sorry, no sympathy. Yes, you may work long hours in ‘dangerous’ conditions, but so do many other people. I have worked solidly for a year and saved money for a holiday due to start this week. Without any petrol I cannot go, and will lose my holiday. Will the tanker drivers be willing to compensate me? I don’t think so. Get back to work, and stop making life miserable for the rest of us.
June 15, 2008 at 6:32 pm
The fact that it would only cost Shell £250k out of its £16 billion profit is completely and utterly irrelevant. What matters is the principal. Why should Shell pay truckers the extra, what exactly is it that they do that entitles them to £32k a year?? They sit down all day and drive from Point A to Point B. There are absolutely no qualifications required, anyone can do it, all you need is an HGV license, therefore they qualify as ‘unskilled labour’. In my opinion they should be paid a representative amount, of which 32K is certainly not. Stop moaning and groaning like little girls and get back to work!
June 15, 2008 at 9:09 pm
As yet another pensioner who was in the Royal Navy for 25 years and find that the tanker drivers union leader is on £45,000 and would get £50,000 if he gets what he wants I find this obscene. I am sure there are many of the servicemen and women would be willing to do the job they are doing for less as for the coment they had to load the tankers , don’t think this can be very stress full task. How many tanker drivers have lost their lives at work?
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