ADVERTISEMENT

Key U.K. Fuel-Trucking Firm Faces Strike Threat by Drivers

U.K. Truck Company That Works for BP Could Face Strike Action

Some drivers at the U.K. company that handles fuels deliveries for BP Plc will vote this week on strike action.

The vote over pay currently affects about 10 workers at Hoyer, a fuels distributor. The result will be out on Friday, according to a spokesman for the Unite union, which represents the affected drivers.

The U.K. has been beset by panic buying at pump stations since the end of last week, with gas stations now running dry. The disruption was sparked by problems getting fuel to stations operated by BP. 

According to Hoyer, some drivers decided not to accept an offer in July to increase their remuneration package by more than 20%. The company is now offering those terms to new drivers, and the offer remains open to existing employees, it said in a statement dated Sept. 25.

The U.K. government has suspended competition rules in the industry so that companies can share information, and it will offer short-term visas to drivers from overseas in a bid to alleviate the crisis. Some members of Petrol Retailers Association are reporting 90% of sites have run dry.

©2021 Bloomberg L.P.