If the poor put upon drivers did strike would it be for a day,a couple of days or walk out and stay out?.

One day one week, then another day the week after.

There has been no suggestion of an all-out strike.

In fact there has never been an actual strike day proposed, just the threat.

Surely the country could cope with a one day per week strike?.

I think they deserve every penny of £45k

They're not just pasty eating big fat blokes. Fuel truckers are very qualified individuals responsible for an enormous amount of highly combustible liquids. If you had several thousand gallons of fuel sat behind you (akin to a rocket to the Moon) you'd expect to be well paid and as a motorist, hope they're eye doesn't go 'off the ball' worrying about not being paid what they're due.

I work in the military and may get called up to do their job. A lot more underpaid and a lot less trained. Just the same as when we had to cover the fire strikes!! We have pilots who fly around in a tanker aircraft with up to 80 tonnes of fuel on board. They do air to air refuelling over hostile environments and are extremely well trained. They however are on less money than tankers drivers. Is this right. We also have mechanics who can sign off the aircraft fit to fly who get about £18k. Now should someone who drives a truck get twice what someone who can say that an aircraft is safe to fly and carry over 100 people!

What's all this cobblers about airports being affected? All the big airports get their fuel piped to them directly from the refinery... there's nothing like the threat of not being able to go on holiday to turn the public against the tanker drivers...

What's all this cobblers about airports being affected? All the big airports get their fuel piped to them directly from the refinery... there's nothing like the threat of not being able to go on holiday to turn the public against the tanker drivers...

I'm guessing your on about my post as know one else has mentioned aircraft.

If you read my post properly you will notice that I did not mention that aircraft will not get their fuel. I mentioned that yet again, it will be the military who are underpaid and over stretched covering workers in the private sector who want more money, just like tge fire strikes. Bearing in mind that the military are on a 3 year pay freeze. I only mentioned the pay as I see driving a truck a lot less responsible than signing off an aircraft fit to fly. And the drivers get more than twice the pay and yet, want even more money. If they're not happy why don't they find another job they can get for the same money. I bet they can't!

In the words of the virgin Mary... Come again? No idea what you are on about mate.

I'm with you 100%, the armed forces get taken the **** out of left right and centre... Most folks would take it up the wrongun for 45k per year, this is why it boils my **** when the tube drivers go on strike too. They just need to man up and get on with it these silly tanker drivers, anybody can drive a truck, it's not rocket science.

I'm guessing your on about my post as know one else has mentioned aircraft.

If you read my post properly you will notice that I did not mention that aircraft will not get their fuel.

Given they're all linked direct from main refineries, there will be no disruption to aviation fuel.

If they're not happy why don't they find another job.

I would say the same to you.

Don't get me wrong I think the armed forces are worth their weight in gold but they aren't that hard done by. Up to £40k PA (NCO) retired by early 40's. I know that not everyone gets that but not every tanker driver gets £45k. Some are on poor wages.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/9176237/Even-Im-starting-to-wonder-what-do-this-lot-know-about-anything.html

Well,the drivers reps' have refused the deal that was on the table,back to ACAS or back to panic buying?.

All this really means is that the offer put on the table was not regarded as sufficient for the union but it does not necessarily mean the dispute will escalate further.

They will reconvene at ACAS and continue discussions.

They have to give 7 days before strike anway and that HASN'T been done yet. No need to panic buy.

and if they don't call a strike by Friday, they will need a new ballot.

Time to for the fuel companies to cancel the tanker companies contract, as they have breached their contracts and offer them to new companies instead.

Sure there are plenty of polish and other EU companies that'd like the job.

Time to for the fuel companies to cancel the tanker companies contract, as they have breached their contracts and offer them to new companies instead.

Sure there are plenty of polish and other EU companies that'd like the job.

+1

According to the Beeb, if they do strike it may only be for an hour which won't cause much mayhem.

Time to for the fuel companies to cancel the tanker companies contract, as they have breached their contracts and offer them to new companies instead.

Sure there are plenty of polish and other EU companies that'd like the job.

May I ask what do you do for a living?

May I ask what do you do for a living?

No.

However I don't see what it has to do with this.

I don't care what the unions want for their staff, I am a customer who needs to get around in the car, want access to fuel at the best price. I also don't like being held to ransom by some staff who think they can strong arm their employers in this way.

If the tanker companies fail to deliver the fuel produced by the oil companies/refiners to their customers then they are plainly in breach of contract. This means that the oil company/refiner can walk away from the contract they have with the delivery tanker companies and offer the contract to other companies who would do the job.

Tanker drivers get paid far more than many professionals who have had to train for 3-5 years, then gain at least another 5-10 years experience to get even close to that package. If they have got greedy and want more more more, then there is an expression about killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

They would do well to remember.

Work to rule by all means, but when they use me/the public as a pawn in your game, then I'm afraid I'm all for the oil companies getting in a company or series of companies who can meet their contractual obligations.

If that means that a load of tanker drivers lose their jobs, then quite frankly tough.

In a time when almost nobody see's a pay rise, citing elf and safety, pensions and pay as a reason for a strike isn't going to go down well. Do your job, or if you think it's bad, then get off and let somebody who want's a wage come and do it.

Edited 18 April, 201214 yr by cheezemonkhai

No.

However I don't see what it has to do with this.

I don't care what the unions want for their staff, I am a customer who needs to get around in the car, want access to fuel at the best price. I also don't like being held to ransom by some staff who think they can strong arm their employers in this way.

If the tanker companies fail to deliver the fuel produced by the oil companies/refiners to their customers then they are plainly in breach of contract. This means that the oil company/refiner can walk away from the contract they have with the delivery tanker companies and offer the contract to other companies who would do the job.

Tanker drivers get paid far more than many professionals who have had to train for 3-5 years, then gain at least another 5-10 years experience to get even close to that package. If they have got greedy and want more more more, then there is an expression about killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

They would do well to remember.

Work to rule by all means, but when they use me/the public as a pawn in your game, then I'm afraid I'm all for the oil companies getting in a company or series of companies who can meet their contractual obligations.

If that means that a load of tanker drivers lose their jobs, then quite frankly tough.

In a time when almost nobody see's a pay rise, citing elf and safety, pensions and pay as a reason for a strike isn't going to go down well. Do your job, or if you think it's bad, then get off and let somebody who want's a wage come and do it.

Well I sincerely hope your employer looks else where for their work force i would look forward to your posts complaining that you cant run your car or are loosing your house as this is what you are saying about these tanker drivers. This isn't one companies staff voting to strike it is several which means a considerable amount of staff. I would never condem any workers standing up for themselves but perhaps the blue veins of thatcher run strong through you.

No.

However I don't see what it has to do with this.

I don't care what the unions want for their staff, I am a customer who needs to get around in the car, want access to fuel at the best price. I also don't like being held to ransom by some staff who think they can strong arm their employers in this way.

If the tanker companies fail to deliver the fuel produced by the oil companies/refiners to their customers then they are plainly in breach of contract. This means that the oil company/refiner can walk away from the contract they have with the delivery tanker companies and offer the contract to other companies who would do the job.

Tanker drivers get paid far more than many professionals who have had to train for 3-5 years, then gain at least another 5-10 years experience to get even close to that package. If they have got greedy and want more more more, then there is an expression about killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

They would do well to remember.

Work to rule by all means, but when they use me/the public as a pawn in your game, then I'm afraid I'm all for the oil companies getting in a company or series of companies who can meet their contractual obligations.

If that means that a load of tanker drivers lose their jobs, then quite frankly tough.

In a time when almost nobody see's a pay rise, citing elf and safety, pensions and pay as a reason for a strike isn't going to go down well. Do your job, or if you think it's bad, then get off and let somebody who want's a wage come and do it.

+1

I don't agree with the latest comments at all. I refer you to my previous post #22.

Well I sincerely hope your employer looks else where for their work force i would look forward to your posts complaining that you cant run your car or are loosing your house as this is what you are saying about these tanker drivers. This isn't one companies staff voting to strike it is several which means a considerable amount of staff. I would never condem any workers standing up for themselves but perhaps the blue veins of thatcher run strong through you.

Good for you and the unions mate.

I've been there with the jobs/contracts going to other suppliers, including surviving the job losses afterwards.

That's why a company has to adapt and stay competitive.

It's one of those key principles of free market economics.

Now remind me why everyone in the IT industry is faced with offshoring and inshoring.

Oh yes, that will because the customer wants it all cheaper so they get it.

Ditto with most industries.

Wake up and smell the coffee.

If the tanker drivers think they're hard up, then they know they have options.

Just watch out for other companies bidding for their contracts.

There isn't some endless pot of gold with a fat lepricorn (well Gordon Brown so sorry to the Irish) sat at the end of the rainbow to hand it out. If things get too expensive, then companies and people look elsewhere.

We do it in Europe as well as it happening the other way around.

I don't agree with the latest comments at all. I refer you to my previous post #22.

Every car driver drives around with >30L of the stuff every day.

Ok so tanker drivers have a lot of it in a vehicle designed for that and have to be careful, but still.

I don't see our boys and girls in the army/navy/RAF paid £45k, plus a huge pension pot, plus all the extras and they get flipping shot at. How many military folk have died recently and how many tanker drivers?

What about other industries where peoples lives are at risk, probably far more than a tanker driver?

I'd actually be happy for the government to break up this effective cartel using the laws against cartels.

This group of 7 companies are effectively breaking competition, because there isn't any.

There are plenty of companies that would be hungry for the work if they could get in and I don't think it's beyond the whit of man to train up new drivers to pipe fuel.

Start them on diesel first perhaps

Oh and to mdon.

....i would look forward to your posts complaining that you cant run your car or are loosing your house as this is what you are saying about these tanker drivers.

Seriously they're losing their houses on £45k are they?

Sounds like they over stretched themselves then doesn't it!

I house shared for years so that I could afford to live without going into massive debt.

I now rent a small house nearer to my job and share it with my partner.

We don't have a large house, with a lot of luxuries.

£45k a year * 4 is £180k, plus a 10% deposit, is a £200k house.

You can buy plenty of nice enough houses in the regions for £200k and that's just one persons wages.

Even if £180k mortgage meant paying back £250k, then that's 10k a year, or just under a grand a month repayments.

The 2012/13 tax calculator works that out at £2,739.89 per month after tax and NI. (BTW the tax changes make them £14 better off)

So are you really saying another £1500 after the mortgage and bills isn't enough to live off.

If you are, then you need a reality check, as I know many people myself included who live off far less than this.

That also assumes their wife (if married) doesn't work.

Edited 19 April, 201214 yr by cheezemonkhai

Every car driver drives around with >30L of the stuff every day.

I don't see our boys and girls in the army/navy/RAF paid £45k, plus a huge pension pot, plus all the extras and they get flipping shot at. How many military folk have died recently and how many tanker drivers?

What about other industries where peoples lives are at risk, probably far more than a tanker driver?

Start them on diesel first perhaps

The services don't have to put up with the idiot drivers 24/7 on our roads. Our tanker drivers are (and I know a few) superb guys who do a very difficult job. If you think they're overpaid, then you've not a clue just what they do. I hope they get what they're entitled to. That's more than what's been offered IMO.

The services don't have to put up with the idiot drivers 24/7 on our roads. Our tanker drivers are (and I know a few) superb guys who do a very difficult job. If you think they're overpaid, then you've not a clue just what they do. I hope they get what they're entitled to. That's more than what's been offered IMO.

Sorry, but no matter how good you think they are, there are people who've done real (not joke) degrees and paid for it and get much much less. Barristers are self employed and get paid (not as much as you think) often many months or even years after they've actually done the work. Engineers are paid £20k starting and won't be on 45k unless they're in London for a good while.

You could put new drivers through a strict practical three year course and still pay them less than the current lot.

As for not having to deal with bad drivers?

Seriously, I wonder how many of them would like to swap their "hard job" for driving along roads with snipers, people shooting RPG/Mortars at you and having to deal with IEDs. I'm guessing it's close to none.

The UK roads are as safe as can be compared to a lot of Europe and also compared to Iraq/Afganistan, the Falklands or anywhere our military have been. Their safe place is the UK roads!

As for entitled to. I'm sorry, you obviously fail to understand how a free market economy works.

A series of companies (in this case they've pretty much formed a cartel) bid for work and those with the best price/service/whatever the company values most are awarded the contracts.

There is no such thing as entitlement.

If their companies pay the staff more and then the contracts go elsewhere because they are now more expensive, then they only have their own selves to blame.

I'm fine with Poles or any other Europeans taking the work, if the UK work force are too greedy.

I'd rather the work went to UK residents, but if they don't want the work, then that's not the problem of other EU staff.

Edited 19 April, 201214 yr by cheezemonkhai

Also what about nurses, there's a difficult job with poor pay.