Fuel blockade: Talks resume in bid to head off tanker drivers strike



Talks aimed at averting a strike by hundreds of fuel-tanker drivers will resume today.

Yesterday, leaders of the Unite union met for more than 10 hours with managers from two companies which deliver fuel to Shell garages across the UK in a bid to resolve a row over pay.

Around 500 drivers employed by Hoyer and Sucklings are due to walk tomorrow morning unless the dispute is resolved.



Yesterday's meeting was held under the chairmanship of the conciliation service Acas, but the two sides will hold direct talks today.



Motorists queue up at a petrol station in Aintree, Merseyside, today

Shell tanker drivers will urge unionised drivers for rival oil companies not to cross their picket lines

A spokesman for Unite said last night: "The discussions between Unite and Shell contractors Hoyer and Sucklings through Acas concluded tonight without resolution.



"Unite will be meeting with Hoyer and Sucklings tomorrow to enter into direct negotiations in an attempt to reach a deal to avert industrial action."

One in 10 filling stations across the UK could be hit by the strike.



The Government has urged drivers not to panic-buy fuel, but there were queues at some garages yesterday, with one woman admitting: "I am panic-buying."

A Downing Street spokesman said: "We want the public to continue to buy as normal so as to avoid creating problems that might otherwise not exist."

Contingency plans include allowing suppliers to share information about stocks without falling foul of competition laws.

Fuel supplies to the emergency services would also be maintained in the event of shortages.

The pay row has erupted because members of Unite claim they are paid the same now as they were in 1992 - just under £32,000 a year - despite their working week being 11 hours longer.



Union organisers believe a picket-line blockade of terminals, depots and refineries could lead to a crisis not seen since the fuel protests of autumn 2000.



Airports will also be hit. Luton, which is understood to be supplied by Shell, is among those being targeted.



Members of the Unite union employed by two firms working on Shell contracts - Hoyer UK and Suckling - are due to walk out over pay from 6am on Friday until 6am the following Tuesday.



By law, only six pickets can protest at their place of work - which for many drivers includes refineries and oil terminals.



But strikers from Unite believe that drivers for other companies will back the Shell drivers by refusing to cross picket lines where they share facilities.



Among the depots at risk are Kingsbury terminal in Birmingham, Killingholme refinery near Hull, Stanlow refinery at



Ellesmere Port in the North West and Grangemouth in Scotland.



Last-ditch talks, led by conciliation service ACAS, are being held at a secret location, understood to be a hotel in Hook, Hampshire.



Driving instructors from Sunderland on a 'go slow' protest' at the rising cost of fuel

The Shell drivers deliver fuel to up to 1,000 filling stations - about one in ten of the total. The union say they earn just under £32,000 before overtime.



Employers insist their improved 6.8 per cent offer would take the average to around £39,000.



As fuel prices soared to record levels yesterday, there were long queues in some forecourts after the



Government said shortages were 'inevitable' if the strike went ahead.



Petrol retailers and motoring organisations said the Government's 'don't panic' plea to motorists had in fact created panic.



The AA said the Government was 'acting like Corporal Jones'.



Retailers predict a £6 gallon for diesel (£1.31 a litre) will be breached by the weekend and jump by up to 5p a litre by the middle of next week.



Delays: Motorists wait at a Sainsburys garage, in Wigan, Lancs

However, suggestions that petrol could double to 230p a litre were 'wide of the mark, according to Ray Holloway of the Petrol Retailers' Association.



He said even if predictions of oil doubling to $250 a barrel within 18 months came true - which he doubted - the extra $100-plus per barrel would add about 35p to the cost of a litre of diesel, raising it to around £1.65 a litre. Petrol would be about £1.55 a litre.



Mr Holloway said speculators were talking up the market and that they would 'get their fingers burned' when the peak driving season ends in the autumn and prices relax.



'There is no shortage of supplies,' he added.



The AA said the cost of filling a 50-litre family car is now £10.23 more for a petrol and £16.69 more for diesel than last year.



Mr Holloway said: "Unfortunately, the nervousness and volatility in the market means that if there is a strike the price of oil will rise higher - most of it driven by speculators."



Luke Bosdet of the AA said: "For the Government to say, "Don't Panic" is a bit like Corporal Jones in Dad's Army. Motorists must understand that there will be no problem whatsoever provided they keep their heads."



Ministers have invoked emergency measures, including suspending normal competition rules to allow rival companies to share information and supply areas where there are shortages. If that fails rationing will be introduced, with drivers restricted to a £20 fill up.



Ministers can also invoke the full National Emergency Plan for Fuel - prioritising fuel for 'essential users'.