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Fuel strike disruption continues Fuel strike disruption continues
(9 minutes later)
Shell tanker drivers are taking part in a third day of industrial action.Shell tanker drivers are taking part in a third day of industrial action.
The oil company says very few of its outlets have so far run out of supplies although 15% have been disrupted and demand had been high.The oil company says very few of its outlets have so far run out of supplies although 15% have been disrupted and demand had been high.
The drivers have confirmed they are to hold a second four-day stoppage as part of their pay dispute next weekend.The drivers have confirmed they are to hold a second four-day stoppage as part of their pay dispute next weekend.
But the Petrol Retailers Association say motorists now know supplies will not run out. At noon on Saturday, about 1% of Shell's UK sites were closed.But the Petrol Retailers Association say motorists now know supplies will not run out. At noon on Saturday, about 1% of Shell's UK sites were closed.
Shell runs one in 10 of the country's fuel stations, but industry sources suggest its market share could be up to 17%.Shell runs one in 10 of the country's fuel stations, but industry sources suggest its market share could be up to 17%.
Tightest supplyTightest supply
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform confirmed demand for fuel at forecourts had gone up by 25% between Friday and Saturday lunchtimes. A spokesman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform confirmed demand for fuel at forecourts had gone up by 25% between Friday and Saturday lunchtimes. THE SHELL PAY STRIKE The striking drivers work for two companies, Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, contracted to ShellIndustrial action began when pay talks broke down this weekThe companies say unions rejected a pay offer taking the drivers' average salary to £41,500 by January 2009 But the Unite union says the offer would have increased salaries from just under £32,000 to £36,000The drivers are planning a second four-day stoppage next week if the dispute is not settled class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7454799.stm">Rush to pumps is a trickle class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7453306.stm">Is your area affected?
THE SHELL PAY STRIKE The striking drivers work for two companies, Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, contracted to ShellIndustrial action began when pay talks broke down this weekThe companies say unions rejected a pay offer taking the drivers' average salary to £41,500 by January 2009 But the Unite union says the offer would have increased salaries from just under £32,000 to £36,000The drivers are planning a second four-day stoppage next week if the dispute is not settled class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7454799.stm">Rush to pumps is a trickle class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7453306.stm">Is your area affected? He said supply was tightest in south-west and north-west England and central Scotland.
  • Texaco said it was "bearing up and coping" and that between 30 and 40 of its stations around the country had run out of some kind of fuel grade, most commonly either unleaded or petrol.
    • He said supply was tightest in south-west and north-west England and central Scotland.
  • Esso said some of its three fuel grades may have run out at some of its sites, but that it was working "round the clock" to keep up deliveries. It also asked for people to only buy what fuel they needed.
    • Texaco said they were "bearing up and coping" and that between 30 and 40 of its stations around the country had run out of some kind of fuel grade, most commonly either unleaded or petrol.
    The Scottish government said figures north of the border showed fewer than 1% of filling stations had run dry and demand from consumers remained normal.The Scottish government said figures north of the border showed fewer than 1% of filling stations had run dry and demand from consumers remained normal.
    There have been reports of some patchy shortages of diesel on stretches on the A9. Sites in Inverness have also reported some shortages of diesel, while some forecourts in Aviemore are rationing sales to customers.There have been reports of some patchy shortages of diesel on stretches on the A9. Sites in Inverness have also reported some shortages of diesel, while some forecourts in Aviemore are rationing sales to customers.
    The striking drivers work for two companies, Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, contracted to Shell.The striking drivers work for two companies, Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, contracted to Shell.
    Industrial action began when pay talks broke down earlier this week, with the companies saying unions rejected a pay offer taking the drivers' average salary to £41,500 by January 2009.Industrial action began when pay talks broke down earlier this week, with the companies saying unions rejected a pay offer taking the drivers' average salary to £41,500 by January 2009.
    But the Unite union says the offer would have increased salaries from just under £32,000 to £36,000.But the Unite union says the offer would have increased salaries from just under £32,000 to £36,000.
    Bernie Holloway, director of the Hoyer Group - one of the two Shell contractors which employ the drivers - said there was a significant gap between what the union was asking for and what the company could afford to pay.Bernie Holloway, director of the Hoyer Group - one of the two Shell contractors which employ the drivers - said there was a significant gap between what the union was asking for and what the company could afford to pay.
    "The drivers have started out with a claim for 13%, our latest offer of 7.3% would take their average earnings from current levels of around £36,500 up to around £39,000," he told the BBC."The drivers have started out with a claim for 13%, our latest offer of 7.3% would take their average earnings from current levels of around £36,500 up to around £39,000," he told the BBC.
    "I would have thought in normal circumstances that would have settled most deals, I mean we think that is a very attractive offer, so it is very difficult for us to move further.""I would have thought in normal circumstances that would have settled most deals, I mean we think that is a very attractive offer, so it is very difficult for us to move further."
    Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged both sides of the dispute to resume negotiations, adding that contingency plans were in place to minimise the effects of the walkout.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged both sides of the dispute to resume negotiations, adding that contingency plans were in place to minimise the effects of the walkout.