Have The Unions Got Shell Over A Barrel?
As the striking fuel delivery drivers return to work today there is news that talks have resumed to try and find a solution to the problem. While public support seems to be ebbing away from the striking lorry drivers, the Unite Union has announced plans for more industrial action over the coming weeks until the situation is resolved. News that drivers are on a basic £32,000 a year has been greeted with dismay by many of the UK population with the average wage a long way short of that level.
The affect of the recent strike saw one opportunistic garage owner increase their price to £1.99 a litre, which equates to around £9 for a gallon of petrol!
Towards the end of the recent 4 day strike there were signs of sympathetic action by others associated with the fuel industry, something which will not have gone unnoticed by the authorities. While strictly speaking secondary picketing was outlawed by the Conservative Party in the 1980s there are signs it is making a comeback.
The next stage in this saga is set to unfold next week with talks of another strike by delivery drivers, something which will exaggerate the affect of the first 4 day strike.
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