It has been reported that a planed walkout by 650 drivers would again strand motorists in many parts of the country without fuel. It’s said that this latest dispute could affect 1,000 forecourts, as well as several hundred industrial outlets. The drivers, who supply the majority of Shell forecourts, are calling for a pay rise of 13 per cent. The company, Hoyer UK, has offered 6 per cent.

In a vote last week the drivers overwhelmingly voted for industrial action which will be a last-ditch meeting to try to resolve a strike is scheduled for tomorrow.

One source from the union Unite, which represents the drivers, said its members had the capacity to seriously disrupt supply of petrol. The source said that “This will bring petrol forecourts to a halt and picket lines will not be crossed.”

If the meeting fails to resolve the dispute then the walk-out could be as early as this week, or the beginning of next week. A spokesman for Hoyer said that “We remain hopeful that this can be resolved, and in particularly that the union will engage. This offer, which is way above inflation, is a no strings offer and one that we think is generous. The offer would take the average to £38,500.”

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