Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/703/13672
From The Socialist newspaper, 1 February 2012
Jet tanker drivers continue strike action
Alistair Tice
123 oil tanker drivers employed by road haulage firm Wincanton began a week-long strike on Tuesday 24 January. Employed on the ConocoPhillips contract, they deliver fuel to Jet petrol stations. After a 83% vote for action, these Unite members are striking for job security - they want ConocoPhillips to guarantee they will abide by TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employees) if they end or fragment the Wincanton contract.
In effect, the tanker drivers are being subcontracted to ConocoPhillips who want to cut costs by putting the Jet contact out to the lowest bidder. This would see the Wincanton drivers either lose their jobs or see their terms and conditions cut if they aren't protected by TUPE.
Three major fuel distribution depots are affected, in Kingsbury, Stockton-on-Tees and the biggest on Immingham docks, where nearly all the 86 drivers and fitters manned picket lines in and out of the refinery depot.
The strike is solid at all three depots with support flooding in from other Unite drivers' branches. The union has served notice of a further week long strike starting on Thursday 2 February. The only disappointment for the drivers is that due to the anti-union laws, they will have to go back to work for two days before continuing the strike.
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In The Socialist 1 February 2012:
Socialist Party news and analysis
Bankers bonus scandal - Fight this profit-mad system
Trade unionists and socialists prepare for May elections
What is the point of Labour MPs?
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Don't let the racist EDL divide us
Disabled protesters demand scrapping of 'welfare' bill
Haringey takes action against academies
Coventry: Re-elect Dave Nellist
Socialist Party youth and students
NUS: name the day for student walkout
Save Derbyshire youth services!
Only one in six 'vacancies' real
Tough conditions for agency workers
South East Wales youth plan new campaigns
International socialist news and analysis
EU summit - no capitalist solutions to the spiralling eurozone crisis
Interview: the Tunisian revolution one year on
Socialist Party workplace news
Pensions battle: Unions must campaign for coordinated strike action in March
London Docklands transport workers win Olympics deal
Remploy workers fight privatisation
Jet tanker drivers continue strike action
The Socialist - readers' comments
Debate: Should socialists support the HS2 rail line?
Are the Greens a real alternative?
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