Tanker drivers based in Bristol are to take indefinite strike action after talks with management seeking pay parity with colleagues at the same company in Birmingham ended with no agreement reached.

Unite members at Oxalis Logistics are based at the Esso Main Terminal but deliver fuel to multiple sources across the South West.

Drivers are simply asking for the same wage that colleagues at the Birmingham depot earn along with paid breaks since they are unable to leave their vehicles during breaks due to security issues.

Currently Bristol drivers earn nearly 20 per cent less than their Birmingham counterparts.

The main Esso terminal ships out approximately 2 million litres of fuel daily. If other firms refused to cross the picket line the ultimate effect would mean oil tanker would be unable to unload, no fuel would be delivered and all petrol stations in South Wales and South West England could run dry within 48 hours.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Oxalis is acting appallingly and is guilty of putting profits above treating its workers fairly.

“Our members are simply seeking for the same wage as people doing the same job for the same company a hundred miles up the road.”

The drivers will walk out from Monday morning (6 July) on an indefinite strike from the St Andrew Road Terminal in Avonmouth. Companies affected by the dispute include: Esso, BP, Asda, Rontec, and supermarkets (Asda, Morrison, Tesco).

Unite regional officer Alan Adler said: "Unite has the backs of our members. They do a highly skilled and dangerous job. Oxalis has had every opportunity to resolve this dispute but has refused to do so. If garages run dry the public will know that Oxalis is to blame." 

ENDS