A STRIKE by tanker drivers has been averted after they voted narrowly to accept a peace deal aimed at ending a long-running row over terms and conditions.
Union Unite said its members working for seven distribution firms backed the deal by 51% overall, although drivers in four of the companies – including Huddersfield-based Hoyer UK – voted to reject it.
The union said the vote left no room for “complacency” and called for rapid implementation of proposals agreed during talks at the conciliation service Acas.
Unite said the dispute had highlighted “deep-seated problems’’ in fuel supply and announced it was calling for an investigation by the energy select committee into the industry.
There were long queues at garages across the country earlier this year when an initial vote in favour of strikes sparked panic buying.
Turnout in the ballot across the seven companies was 69%.
A spokesman for Hoyer, based at Leeds Road, Deighton, said: “The company is very pleased that this dispute has been resolved and looks forward to working together with Unite to implement the Acas proposals.”
