News

Forecourt fuel supplies to retailer Sainsbury's could be threatened as BP tanker drivers that supply the supermarket are set to be balloted by the Unite union over strike action.

Between Tuesday 17 November and Tuesday 1 December, approximately 200 drivers - all Unite  members on the BP contract for Sainsbury's - will be balloted on whether to go ahead with industrial action.

The vote follows Sainsbury's appointment of Greenergy as its petrol supplier from mid-January, a contract currently held by BP, which runs its logistics in-house. Greenergy has shortlisted TDG and Turners (Soham) to distribute petrol to the retailer.

Unite says it is concerned a move from national BP negotiations may force drivers to accept lower wages and lessen the union's ability to represent members.

The union warns that if an agreement is not reached, "a dispute in the coming weeks is a near certainty".

Ron Webb, Unite's national officer for the logistics sector, says: "This union has been working day and night to try to get these companies to talk about a way forward.  Their failure to reach agreement now means that we have no other option but to ballot."

A BP spokesman says: "The issues raised by the union are matters for the drivers' new employers to address. BP is working closely with the Unite union and drivers' representatives to ensure their transition to their new employers is as smooth as possible."

BP also recently hit the headlines by confirming it was looking to subcontract its fuel distribution work.

Sainbury's has, so far, been unavailable for comment. Greenergy says it cannot comment during contract negotiations.