One of the modern shibboleths that businesses seem to worship is that of "contracting out" wherever possible - hire an outside contractor when you need to rather than managing that activity yourselves, especially when that activity is problematic in some way. But what if that activity is pretty crucial to your business and what, even more importantly, if it is crucial to your reputation?
June 14th, 2008:
Shell walks away from its drivers – and from its customers as well
This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website,
johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net,
are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.
Shell outsourcing at heart of pay squabble
At the heart of the matter is Shells decision in the 1990s to outsource its tanker driver operations.
Oil giants in spotlight but it could get much hotter
Shell's insistence that it is not responsible for the bust-up between tanker drivers and the contractors it uses has not stopped it being dragged under the spotlight.
G8 concludes no quick fix for oil prices
There are no quick fixes to soaring oil and food prices, Group of Eight finance ministers concluded on Saturday, although disagreements emerged about the role that speculators were playing in exacerbating price rises.
Europe Worries About a 1970s-Style Oil Shock
In Europe, where the tight credit market has caused less havoc than in the United States, fears are focusing on another economic bogeyman: a 1970s-style oil shock.
Plan Would Lift Saudi Oil Output to Highest Ever
The move was seen as a sign that the Saudis are becoming increasingly nervous about both the political and economic effect of high oil prices. In recent weeks, soaring fuel costs have incited demonstrations and protests from Italy to Indonesia.
Protests spread as oil prices soar
Hauliers want to force the government to lower fuel prices and tax, and harmonise the cost of diesel and petrol across Europe.
Union issues ultimatum over Shell pay talks
Motorists face the growing prospect of continuing fuel shortages after it emerged that a second wave of strikes by Shell tanker drivers is planned for next week.
The story of modern corporate Britain
Meanwhile, on the back of soaring oil prices, Shell is now making £1.3bn profit a month as its executives enthusiastically stuff their pockets on the back of it. Shell's chief executive was paid £4.5m last year as average boardroom salaries increased 16%. The drivers, on the other hand, have been offered 7% by the two Shell contractors, Hoyer and Suckling Transport.
Is this the end of oil?
For generations, we've taken it for granted. But as prices soar and reserves dwindle, the time is fast approaching when mankind will have to live without oil. Are we ready to confront some really inconvenient truths?
Jeremy Warner’s Outlook: Oil pushes world towards recession
It has long seemed to me that the only thing likely to bring the oil price back to earth is a global recession, and that is exactly what very high oil prices seem destined to bring about.
Fuel supplies begin to dry up as hauliers plan second strike
A strike by petrol tanker drivers started to bite yesterday as motorists were urged to stay calm and only drive if absolutely necessary. With the Army on standby and the prospect of a second action next week if talks fail again, hauliers supplying Shell stations walked out at 6am.
Nigeria: Delta Lawmakers Angry With Shell Over Sackings
Meanwhile, the House has extended another invitation to the company to appear on Wednesday next week, failing which the Speaker, Martins Okonta, said "if they refuse to show up, we will now know that they are the ones instigating the Niger Delta militants."
Sakhalin Whales Panel Faults Gas Venture
LONDON -(Dow Jones)- A scientific panel report released Friday revealed ongoing concerns that the Sakhalin-II oil and gas joint venture hasn't complied with all of recommendations on the protection of the endangered Western Gray Whale.
Royal Dutch Shell conspired directly with Hitler, financed the Nazi Party, was anti-Semitic and sold out its own Dutch Jewish employees to the Nazis. Shell had a close relationship with the Nazis during and after the reign of Sir Henri Deterding, an ardent Nazi, and the founder and decades long leader of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. His burial ceremony, which had all the trappings of a state funeral, was held at his private estate in Mecklenburg, Germany. The spectacle (photographs below) included a funeral procession led by a horse drawn funeral hearse with senior Nazis officials and senior Royal Dutch Shell directors in attendance, Nazi salutes at the graveside, swastika banners on display and wreaths and personal tributes from Adolf Hitler and Reichsmarschall, Hermann Goring. Deterding was an honored associate and supporter of Hitler and a personal friend of Goring.
Deterding was the guest of Hitler during a four day summit meeting at Berchtesgaden. Sir Henri and Hitler both had ambitions on Russian oil fields. Only an honored personal guest would be rewarded with a private four day meeting at Hitler’s mountain top retreat.
IN JULY 2007, MR BILL CAMPBELL (ABOVE, A RETIRED GROUP AUDITOR OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL SENT AN EMAIL TO EVERY UK MP AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS: 
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A head-cut image of Alfred Donovan (now deceased) appears courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.
