'Secondary' tanker dispute ends

Protesters from other fuel companies had joined the dispute

Tanker drivers from different companies have ended their protest outside the Grangemouth fuel depot on the final day of a four-day walkout by Shell drivers.

The action came after 11 drivers employed by Scottish Fuels were reportedly suspended for refusing to cross the picket line.

The Unite trade union said the secondary dispute was based on a "misunderstanding" and was now over.

The strike over pay by Shell drivers has disrupted some fuel supplies.

In Scotland, it was reported that 31 petrol stations, or 3% of the country's forecourts, had run out of fuel.

The SMTA said that while Aberdeen and the Hawick area seemed to have no problems, fuel stocks were under pressure in Fife.

There are plans in place to get deliveries to sites as soon as possible after the strike ends BP spokeswoman

Douglas Anderson from the organisation said: "Over the last 24 hours the situation has changed as people went to fill up for the week ahead.

"We would encourage motorists to buy fuel as normal. We are anticipating that it will take until Wednesday before we see supplies returning to normal."

Pickets have been set up at fuel depots in Grangemouth, Aberdeen and Inverness as part of the UK-wide action by 600 Shell drivers in the dispute over pay.

Shell said shortages had affected one or more fuel grades at approximately 249 of its sites across the UK.

'Normal buying'

A spokeswoman for BP said most of its forecourts had fuel.

She added: "Very few sites have run dry completely across the country. There are plans in place to get deliveries to those sites as soon as possible after the strike ends."

Exxonmobil, which oversees Esso forecourts, said the company was doing all it could to maximise fuel supplies to its customers.

A spokesman said: "Esso is not involved in the strike action, and the drivers who make deliveries to Esso service stations and other customers are not on strike.

"We would ask motorists to stick to their normal buying patterns."

Talks aimed at resolving the dispute are taking place between employers and the Unite officials.

Shell tanker drivers have warned that they will hold a second four-day stoppage next weekend if an agreement cannot be reached.

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