Tanker drivers who
deliver oil and petrol to Shell are to be balloted over industrial action.
The 400 drivers, all
members of the Transport and General Workers’ Union, work for P&O Trans
European.
They have rejected a pay
offer of 2.5 per cent and will now be asked if they will take action to get a
better deal from the company – recently in the headlines after being put up for
sale by parent company P&O.
Drivers’ spokesman, Ron
Webb, T&G national secretary for transport, said: "This company knows
the value of our members but won’t recognise it in a decent pay increase. Shell
also knows the value of our drivers and we know the profits it has been making.
"These drivers are
the backbone of Britain. They have been undervalued for the dangerous but vital
work they do for too long."