Hoyer tanker drivers vote for strike action

A brewing industrial dispute involving Grangemouth based tanker drivers could severely impact fuel supplies to airports and forecourts across Scotland.

Unite can confirm that over 30 members employed by Hoyer Gas and Petroleum Logistics Limited backed strike action after the membership rejected a seven per cent pay offer.

Unite says the current offer falls way short of the drivers’ aspirations, and the offer does nothing to bring them into line with industry standards including the pay levels of other Hoyer drivers based out of the Grangemouth oil terminal.

If Hoyer fails to make a significantly improved offer then Unite will announce firm dates for industrial action. The union is also pointing out that the Hoyer drivers working on the gas and petroleum logistics contract have not had a pay increase since 2021.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s Hoyer tanker drivers are simply seeking a fair day’s pay.
“There is no reason why Hoyer can’t pay these drivers a higher rate. They are doing exactly the same job for the company but they are being paid significantly below other Hoyer drivers based out of the Grangemouth oil terminal.
“The drivers have Unite’s full support in the fight to drive up pay and conditions.”

A HOYER spokesperson said: “Negotiations are ongoing and further arrangements are in place for follow up discussions with the Union. During the negotiations so far we have made our drivers at Grangemouth an offer in excess of 14%, well above both the rate of inflation and current levels of earnings increases across all sectors.

“Our Grangemouth drivers’ pay is already far in excess of average salary rates in the UK and, given that we remain in a cost of living crisis and further cost rises will inevitably reach British motorists at the pump, we have a general responsibility not to offer unsustainable increases. In the meantime, we will continue to negotiate with the Union in good faith whilst simultaneously working on contingency plans to mitigate any disruption should industrial action proceed.”