Shell drivers urged to back pay deal
By George Parker
Published: June 18 2008 03:00 | Last updated: June 18 2008 03:00
Shell tanker drivers’ leaders last night agreed a two-year pay deal with employers, lifting the threat of a further strike next weekend and another round of fuel shortages at the pumps.
Although details of the proposed settlement will not be presented formally to drivers until today, it is expected to include a big upfront payment, which could embarrass ministers who this week called for pay discipline to help hold down inflation.
However, government officials say the first payment reflects “historical grievances” between drivers and the haulage companies, and the pay rise in the second year is expected to be nearer the private sector norm of just below 4 per cent.
John Hutton, business secretary, said: “This settlement reflects particular conditions within this sector. However, the government remains clear, as the Treasury chief secretary said this week, there needs to be discipline in public and private sector pay if we are to keep inflation under control.”
Yesterday hundreds of garages were still out of one or more types of fuel after a four-day strike by more than 600 Shell tanker drivers, which saw drivers from other companies refusing to cross picket lines at distribution depots.
Mr Hutton added: “Restocking at the pumps is now under way and we can expect things to return to normal over the next few days.”
The pay deal was agreed yesterday between officials of Unite, the union representing the drivers, and Hoyer and Suckling, the haulage companies contracted by Shell to deliver fuel to its filling stations.
A brief statement said: “Hoyer, Suckling and Unite are pleased to confirm that they have successfully concluded pay talks.”
Following the meeting at the union’s London headquarters, Unite will present the new deal, details of which were being kept secret, to drivers.
The drivers will be balloted over the coming week with a recommendation to accept the deal. All industrial action has been called off.
The drivers walked out last Friday at 6am, returning at 6am yesterday. They picketed fuel depots and refineries, and warned of a further four-day strike from Friday.
The union had rejected a pay offer of 7.3 per cent this year and 6 per cent next, and accused Shell of refusing to intervene in the row.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008
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.
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.
