Jet garages across Scotland are facing fuel shortages this spring as tanker drivers employed by JW Sucking Transport ballot for industrial action in a longstanding pay dispute.
The 30-plus drivers, who are members of the Unite union, are based at depots in Essex, West London and Grangemouth. The drivers undertake work as part of the Phillips 66 contract, which supplies fuel to Jet Garages.
Despite negotiations, JW Suckling Transport has refused to increase the rates of pay of drivers on the contract so that they are comparable with drivers employed by other hauliers on the contract. The union says drivers are paid more than £5 less an hour than other drivers for undertaking the same work.
Unite General Decretary Sharon Graham said: “It is outrageous that Suckling Transport is refusing to pay its drivers in line with what others receive for the same work on the same contract. This is clearly about boosting its profits at the expense of its workers.
“Unite is solely focused on defending and enhancing its members’ jobs, terms and conditions and our members at Suckling Transport will receive the union’s total support.”
Lyn Turner, Unite regional officer for Scotland – who represents the drivers at Grangemouth, added: “It’s time for Suckling Transport to do the right thing and pay our members the same rate of pay that others receive for delivering the same product. In the last nine years, our members at Grangemouth have only had two pay increases. Workers are at the end of their tether.”
If the drivers vote to go on strike then industrial action could begin before the end of next month.
