Fuel Strikes

[Hip Priest]

Tanker drivers have voted for strike action, with the governement calling in army drivers to take up the slack.

Panic-buying has already begun.

 

[TVC]

It's like deja vu all over again.

I heard the news and considered filling my tank, but then worked out they haven't actually announced any dates yet, and there will still be petrol to buy a couple of days after everyone else has queued for two hours to top up.

 

[Hip Priest]

All it means for my family is that my wife will need to get public transport to work (2 buses), which means I'll have to whack the child seat on the back of the bike and do the school / nursery run.

 

[Silver Fox]

The slightest whiff of a commodity shortage and the panic buying starts.

Hopefully the dispute can be resolved and it won't get as bad as 2000 when the police had to be deployed to keep order on the forecourts.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I'd better go get some petrol while I still can. I wonder how much I can fit in the bath?

 

[DCLane]

When it happened last time I drove a 4-star guzzling old Mercedes estate. No problem with finding 4-star, it was Diesel & Unleaded that had the shortage.

This time I'll just use the bike, although I suggested SWMBO fill up tomorrow early am since she does need her car for work. If it happens, then she can also use mine.

However, it was simply buyer chaos that caused the problems before.

 

[PaulB]

Our neighbour who works at an ASDA petrol station just got home when she was supposed to knock off at 6. She got a call pleading with her to stay 3 extra hours as there was no end in sight to the back of the queue! The tanker driver who turned up told her he couldn't understand the panic buying when there's no hint of a shortage yet and he reckons they'll time the strike for easter to maximise its effect. I can't wait for it to happen, me. Clear/er roads for us lot on our bikes! Bring it on.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Wish I could commute to work, petrol price would be much less of a headach. 88miles a day is a little too much

 

[gavintc]

The tanker driver who turned up told her he couldn't understand the panic buying when there's no hint of a shortage yet

LOL, well UNITE have decided to up the ante, so it is hardly surprising that there is panic buying.

Having surfed around the main news sites tonight, the reason for the strike action is not well reported and seems to be poorly defined. The BBC give this is a report from Unite.

"Fuel tanker drivers have voted in favour of taking strike action in a row over terms and conditions and safety"

Without simply accepting this comment as a given, it would be nice to know a little more about the issue. It seems a bit not specific at present and it is difficult to either criticise or empathise.

 

[Fab Foodie]

LOL, well UNITE have decided to up the ante, so it is hardly surprising that there is panic buying.

Having surfed around the main news sites tonight, the reason for the strike action is not well reported and seems to be poorly defined. The BBC give this is a report from Unite.

"Fuel tanker drivers have voted in favour of taking strike action in a row over terms and conditions and safety"

Without simply accepting this comment as a given, it would be nice to know a little more about the issue. It seems a bit not specific at present and it is difficult to either criticise or empathise.

On R4 tonight there was a union spokeswoman who tried to maintain that it was over H&S standards and minimum accepted standards accross the industry as well as 'stability' for their members. She couldn't specifically say what the H&S issues were or where standards were falling, but that's what they were up in arms about... and of course she was categorically against any real action as long as their demands were met ....

£45k pa tanker driving. Not at all bad.

You see, the cynic in me could say that this is just anther attempt by the Unions to beat the Government at something .....

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Our neighbour who works at an ASDA petrol station just got home when she was supposed to knock off at 6. She got a call pleading with her to stay 3 extra hours as there was no end in sight to the back of the queue! The tanker driver who turned up told her he couldn't understand the panic buying when there's no hint of a shortage yet and he reckons they'll time the strike for easter to maximise its effect. I can't wait for it to happen, me. Clear/er roads for us lot on our bikes! Bring it on.

All right for some. If there is a shortage of fuel I'll last seven days maximum before I can no longer work and income drops to zero.

 

[PBancroft]

I've hardly driven at all this year, and I know my tank is almost empty. I'll probably fill up before the strike - not because I'll need it any more than I do now, but there might be someone who needs to travel urgently (or even I might) so its best to be prepared.

There will be many people who rely on their cars who are going to suffer and that's a terrible thing. That said, there will be many many more who think they rely on their cars and will make a big song and dance about how difficult life is without thinking about alternatives.

Biggest downpoint for me? The trains are going to be packed.

 

[snorri]

Seems odd the government suggesting people fill their tanks, won't this result in shortages if people take that advice and every car in the country has a full tank?
http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/no-10-fill-up-now-to-avoid-strike-disruption

 

[Hip Priest]

Y'know, the dates of the strike haven't been set yet, so there is no need to behave any differently. Why, anyone might think it's a ploy by the Tories to increase Quarter 1 retail sales!

 

[TVC]

I think Dave Cameron played a blinder this afternoon by shouting:

"Don't panic Mr Mainwaring, DON'T PANIC!"

I've not worked out his game yet, there must be a plan, he can't be that incompetent surely?