By John Simpson 29 March 2012
The panic-filling displayed by motorists in recent days is just a taste of what a real strike would be like, according to the Road Haulage Association (RHA).
The association has already made its disapproval of fuel tanker drivers’ decision to strike very clear but has spoke out again in reaction to the overwhelming demand at the pumps with many fuel stations running dry.
A strike date is still to be set but strike action could begin from the middle of next week following the seven days’ notice from union Unite; posing a potential threat to much of the country’s Easter plans.
Comments from Government ministers namely Cabinet Minister Francis ‘Jerrycan’ Maude then Energy Minister Ed Davey seem to have only stirred worries further with ever-growing queues for fuel.
Minority
Geoff Dunning, RHA Chief Executive, condemned the strike action once again: “Many drivers of fuel tankers are not members of Unite, so those who have voted for strike action are in a minority.
“Furthermore, these drivers are all paid much more that the average for truck drivers generally, typically receiving over £40,000 per year.
“We are also concerned at the union’s implication that safety standards are low. The UK fuel distribution sector applies standards that are far above the legal minimum, with highly professional, well trained and properly rewarded drivers delivering the UK’s fuel.”
The advice from AA President Edmund King was “Don't panic, don't queue, don't fill jerry cans. There is no strike. Calm down” but the RHA is concerned that hauliers could bear the brunt of any strike action with little or no ability to store fuel beyond their typical daily usage. Any fuel shortage would have an immediate impact on their businesses and further damage to a troubled economy that is already trying to recover from recession.
The disruption to supply chains could prevent companies from going about their normal legitimate daily operation, placing them under great financial strain and resulting more business collapses.
Geoff Dunning added: “The safe delivery of fuel is of paramount importance: any concerns can and should be examined carefully, and adequate procedures for addressing such concerns already exist.
“But the reliability of fuel supply is equally significant and should not be jeopardised.”
Categories:Fleet news , Road Haulage Association
TomTom brings WEBFLEET Mobile to tablets FLA flags up rise in conversion fraud
After talking about autonomous, or driverless, cars last week, I thought I’d better try one out and the nice people at Bosch kindly obliged with a passenger ride in a BMW 325 Touring. While I may not have been behind the…
Autonomous cars are one of the big areas car manufacturers and high-tech companies such as Google are pouring vast sums of money, time and energy into. This is a future that many think holds the key to how and where the…
When I were a lad and it was all fields round here, I was lucky enough to have an ex-police driver trainer as my driving instructor. Not only did he teach the Highway Code, he also included some good old fashioned practical…
We all know the dangers of smoking to our health and that of others, which is why Jim Hume - the Liberal Democrat MSP for South of Scotland - wants to introduce a complete ban on smoking in cars in Scotland. Hume says his…
When it comes down to it, the only thing keeping you on the road are your car’s tyres. They are such a vital component, yet research shows that two-thirds of drivers don’t even know the minimum legal tread depth permitted.…