Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/539/6210
From The Socialist newspaper, 25 June 2008
Workers' battles win results: Tankers drivers' success upsets bosses
THE OIL tanker drivers' strike has ended. The drivers struck over the failure of multinational giant Shell and the contractors Hoyer, and Suckling Transport to pay them a decent pay rise, after years of attacks. The drivers' solidarity has forced the employers to offer them a 14% two-year deal (9% increase this year and a 5% rise next year).
After negotiations between the employers and the Unite union, this deal was accepted after most drivers voted for it. The deal caused deep concern in the capitalist class, its press and its Labour government. They rightly saw this as a victory for the drivers, the trade unions and for strike action.
A Shell tanker driver, Gary, from the Coryton plant near Basildon, Essex, qualified the deal by saying to The Socialist: "My personal opinion is that we asked for a one-year deal, not two, and they are still 4% adrift on what we asked for. We are also very annoyed that the figures were leaked to the press before we saw them in writing.
"This deal got very political, we are sure the government got involved and Shell were told to back off as the government were concerned about repercussions over pay claims in the rest of trade and industry.
"At least we took them on. I personally think we pushed this as far as we could in the present climate. We have left it so that we will be coming back to talk to them about concerns over our pension."
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In The Socialist 25 June 2008:
Prices up, Wages down...Summer of action needed!
Workers' battles win results: Tankers drivers' success upsets bosses
Socialist Party editorial
Editorial: Summer of discontent?
PCS union sends letter of solidarity to Unison
Campaign for a new workers' party: Conference - Sunday 29 June, 11am - 5pm
Unison Conference 2008
Unison conference 2008: Fighting to reclaim the union for its members
Unison Service Group Executives - socialists elected
National Shop Stewards Network Conference
Fighting, democratic unions not witch hunts
Socialist Party campaigns
Thousands show their hatred for racism
Student unions can be pushed into action
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
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International socialist news and analysis
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Afghanistan - paying the price of western occupation
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"With polyclinics you're just a number"
Origins of the Labour Party
'Old' Labour - born out of workers' struggles
Socialist Party workplace news
Brighton bus drivers match inflation
Teachers fight academy plans in Bolton
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