Unite secures huge pay rises for Wincanton tanker drivers

Unite has secured a huge pay increase for workers employed by Wincanton on the Valero contract.

The 150 tanker drivers undertake fuel deliveries to Valero petrol stations across the UK.

The workers had overwhelmingly voted for industrial action. Strike dates were then set, at which point last ditch negotiations were held and a deal was brokered that Unite’s members accepted.

As part of the deal, tier one workers will receive a pay increase of 20.7 per cent while those on tier two contracts will see their pay rates increase by 37.1 per cent. The pay deal was designed to reduce the differential between the two groups of workers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This is a huge pay victory which was achieved by our members showing complete unity and being prepared to take industrial action.

“This pay increase further underlines how Unite’s commitment to the jobs, pay and conditions of its members is paying substantial financial dividends.”

Unite national officer Tony Devlin added, “This is a significant pay increase in line with similar recent uplifts for other tanker drivers nationally. It further demonstrates that Unite’s strategy in the downstream oil distribution sector is delivering while the union continues to ensure that all tanker drivers receive a fair pay increase.”

By Barckley Sumner