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TDG and Turners (Soham) have been shortlisted by fuel manufacturer Greenergy to fulfill a contract to distribute petrol to retailer Sainsbury's.

"We are in the final stages of negotiations with TDG and Turners. We always employ hauliers to distribute for us from our depots, and we normally negotiate our supply arrangements  based on geographical locations," reveals a Greenergy spokeswoman.

No one was available for comment from Turners, but TDG tells us that "should it be successful, all employees' rights will re respected".

The deal, which will begin in mid-January, is currently held by BP, but the fuel giant will not reveal how long it has held the contract for.

BP hit the headlines last week when it announced it is putting all of its transport work out for tender. The company currently employs 450 in-house tanker drivers, while DHL Supply Chain runs 25% of its operations.

A shift to using third-party operators would bring the company in line with companies such as Greenergy and Shell that outsource haulage work.

Union Unite  says it is concerned that a move from national negotiations may force drivers to accept lower wages.

Speaking about the Sainsbury's contract, Unite's national officer for logistics and road transport, Ron Webb, says: "We have hundreds of BP drivers in the wilderness, not knowing anything about what's going on. At our national conference of tanker drivers last week, the anger expressed by members was phenomenal."

He fears the union will not have enough strength if national negotiations break down, and tells us preparations are being made to ballot for industrial action.