Army training to deliver petrol in case of strike action

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » 25 Mar 2012, 06:08

BBC News - 25/03/12

Army drivers are being trained to deliver fuel to petrol stations around the country in anticipation of a possible strike by tanker drivers.

The Unite union is balloting on industrial action and the government is drawing up contingency plans to avoid major disruption to fuel supplies.

Unite has been balloting more than 2,000 of its members who work for seven major fuel distribution companies.

Article continues ...

Post by **adam2** » 25 Mar 2012, 15:35

It is allways well to be prepared for fuel shortages, whether caused by industrial disputes or otherwise, but remember that tanker drivers threaten to strike, or actually strike, fairly regularly and usually nothing much happens.

Still sensible to keep fuel tanks nearly full, and perhaps fill a can or two, "just in case"

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 26 Mar 2012, 16:33

looks like the strike is on, following an overwhelming "yes" vote, according to the BBC.

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » 26 Mar 2012, 16:33

BBC News - 26/03/12

Fuel tanker drivers have voted in favour of taking strike action in a row over terms and conditions and safety, according to the Unite union.

Article continues ...

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 26 Mar 2012, 16:38

I've been maintaining some reserve supplies of diesel for some time now, given the various uncertainties around Iran, the refinery closing, etc.

I also put away a spare 5 litre can of unleaded for my son's motorbike, so he can get to work, but discovered the other day that he'd popped it in the tank to deal with the "emergency" of too much month left at the end of the money!

I'll be b*ggerd if I'm going to fill it up again. He'll just have to get his bike out! (It's only 7 miles each way

)

PS_RalphW · Post by **PS_RalphW** » 26 Mar 2012, 16:55

I can predict the overwhelming reaction to this strike (if it goes ahead) from the general public.

"I cannot afford my 50 mile commute in my 30mpg car because fuel prices have doubled in a decade, and now I cannot even fill up because the delivery drivers have gone on strike. This clearly the personal fault of Cameron for not cutting the outrageous fuel tax rate and he should send in the troops and shoot the delivery drivers."

JavaScriptDonkey · Post by **JavaScriptDonkey** » 26 Mar 2012, 18:20

Fuel tax is outrageous.

VAT on top of fuel duty is a step too far.

Don't know anybody who supports shooting strikers though...maybe we move in different circles.

As a BTW, the drivers aren't arguing about pay but about conditions - it's about a change in culture from a safety bias to one more driven by the profit motive.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 26 Mar 2012, 18:47

I don't think fuel tax is outrageous, on the simple grounds that without it we'd end up with cars like those in the USA with derisory MPGs, and people driving silly distances in them.

RalphW, I take it you've met all my former workmates in Leeds (in the workplace with "sustainability" in the title

)?

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » 26 Mar 2012, 20:08

JavaScriptDonkey wrote:Fuel tax is outrageous.

In your opinion. I don't share that opinion. We learn to live with the tax, but it has the effect of cushioning the rises in the price of oil. Any rise is a small proportion of the total, instead of a 25% or 30% or even a 50% rise.

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 26 Mar 2012, 20:22

True. If you really want to experience the effects of fluctuating oil prices, try heating your house with it! Heating oil price tends to track the crude oil price quite closely.

PS_RalphW · Post by **PS_RalphW** » 26 Mar 2012, 21:02

And, as I like to point out, the percentage rate of tax on fuel is now lower than when the fuel protests nearly scuppered Blair.

True the Tories increased VAT by 2.5% and briefly reinstated the 1% above inflation tax rise, but that has been sidelined again, in practice for ever.

The fuel tax escalator was the one really good policy the previous Tory government ever introduced.

JavaScriptDonkey · Post by **JavaScriptDonkey** » 26 Mar 2012, 23:32

RalphW wrote:And, as I like to point out, the percentage rate of tax on fuel is now lower than when the fuel protests nearly scuppered Blair.

True the Tories increased VAT by 2.5% and briefly reinstated the 1% above inflation tax rise, but that has been sidelined again, in practice for ever.

The fuel tax escalator was the one really good policy the previous Tory government ever introduced.

Ahhh, I take it that you don't need to drive for work.

Lower fuel prices can go hand in hand with lower emissions as you just mandate stricter emissions regulations through the MoT.

For myself I favour a massive tax hike on firewood and bicycle tyres as I don't use either of them and they are both hideously polluting.

PS_RalphW · Post by **PS_RalphW** » 27 Mar 2012, 08:09

My firewood comes from sustainably managed coppice in ancient woodland. It is cut by hand tools by volunteers, although it is delivered using petrol.

I'm OK with a high ta on Bicycle tyres, so long as car tyres are taed at the same rate per kilo.

Shall we say £10 a kilo? That will cost me about £1 a year.

Post by **adam2** » 27 Mar 2012, 08:18

A fair proprtion of the sheeple dont even seem to understand the purpose of the proposed strike.
They seem to think that it is some form of peoples protest against high and/or rising fuel prices. "Great idea, someone needs to show the f***ing government that people cant take higher prices" Or "well, taking to the streets is all they understand, we all need cheaper petrol" And so on.

In fact of course the proposed strike is by tanker drivers in pursuit of increased wages and/or enhanced employment benefits.
If the trades union is succesful in its bid, prices will INCREASE in order to pay the improved wages.

The proposed strike could indeed be called " A strike for HIGHER fuel prices"
Not certain what the sheeple will make of that !

SleeperService · Post by **SleeperService** » 27 Mar 2012, 10:19

adam2 wrote:....In fact of course the proposed strike is by tanker drivers in pursuit of increased wages and/or enhanced employment benefits.
If the trades union is succesful in its bid, prices will INCREASE in order to pay the improved wages.

The proposed strike could indeed be called " A strike for HIGHER fuel prices"
Not certain what the sheeple will make of that !

No No No. The employers are interested in a 'Race to the Bottom' as far as pay and conditions are concerned for everybody except themselves. Tesco led with a scheme that saw salaries halved and all payments for unsocial hours etc abolished. The fuel companies want some of that too. The things that crystalised opposition are the reductions in safety training, time to do the delivery and shift changes which leave you half asleep on your feet. Nine hours from booking off one shift to booking on for the next? They want to be able to do that twice a week just like all other LGV drivers. No surprise that the LGV accident rate is climbing as the number of miles driven falls. All these moves are intended to let agency drivers run a vehicle after a very short 'training' period. Forcing wages down further.

The figures quoted by the employers on the radio earlier £45K, 38 to 40 hour week, final salary pension etc are misleading. Different employers offer one or the other.

These regulations were brought in after a series of very nasty accidents back in the 60s and 70s by companies faced with legislation. The guys who drive them are VERY good, highly skilled drivers and need to be rewarded accordingly. If not we'll see an increase in very horrible accidents and people will probabily start dying (again).

Let me put it like this. I wouldn't do that job even if I thought I could.