Hoyer concerned by Unite's recommendation to reject tanker driver deal

Tanker firm Hoyer says a rejection of the latest tanker driver proposals by delegates at Unite’s oil trades conference is a “matter of grave concern”.

It also slams Unite for its decision to re-ballot the company’s tanker drivers, following concerns raised that not all of them received ballot papers in the initial vote.

Hoyer’s statement follows a vote from around 60 delegates at the Unite oil trades conference resulting in members recommending tanker drivers reject the deal in a national ballot, which is currently taking place.

The proposal was reached after eight days of negotiations, led by conciliation service Acas, between six fuel distribution firms and the Unite union over tanker driver terms and conditions. Firms involved in the talks are Hoyer, Turners (Soham), Wincanton, Norbert Dentressangle, BP and DHL.

A spokesman for Hoyer says: “It is a matter of grave concern that the agreement reached between the employers and Unite after eight days of talks at Acas has been rejected at the union’s oil trades conference.”

The company adds that the it believes the final set of proposals fully meets all of the issues raised by Unite and insists that “this document is Hoyer’s final offer”.

On the issue of the re-balloting of its drivers, Hoyer says the action is “wholly unnecessary and deeply damaging for the stability of the industry”.

The consultative national ballot results will be announced on Friday 11 May, with a deadline for any industrial action planned by Unite to be carried out on or before Monday 21 May, following seven days’ notice.