Fuel crisis averted after urgent warning that 'pumps could run dry within 48 hours'

The South West of England has avoided a potential fuel crisis after tanker drivers accepted a "substantial" pay rise.

Fuel tanker drivers at Oxalis in Bristol accepted a new pay award after threatening strike action earlier this month.

Unite members at the Oxalis Logistics plant at the Esso Main Terminal secured an impressive 22 per cent pay increase.

The fuel tanker drivers transport petrol and diesel to multiple sources across the South West of England.

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The five-year pay deal is worth up to 22 per cent, depending on shift patterns, although Unite stated that it could be more depending on inflation.

Drivers will immediately receive up to 11.5 per cent backdated to January 2026, in addition to a further 3.5 per cent from January 2027.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: "This is a substantial and well-earned pay award for drivers in a skilled and stressful role.

"It shows the power of a union and what can be achieved when workers are prepared to take strike action for their goal."

The main Esso terminal exports approximately two million litres of fuel every day, with Unite warning of disastrous consequences if strike action were to take place.

Unite stated that the "ultimate effect" of strike action would mean oil tankers were unable to unload in Bristol.

This could result in no fuel being delivered and "all petrol stations" in South Wales and South West England "running dry within 48 hours".

The union stated that the new pay award would bring Oxalis drivers in the South West much closer to the pay of other drivers in other parts of the UK.

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Unite claimed that drivers in Bristol currently earn almost 20 per cent less than their counterparts in Birmingham.

As part of the negotiating process, members asked for the same wage as their Birmingham colleagues, alongside paid breaks.

At present, drivers are unable to leave their vehicles during breaks due to security issues, Unite claimed.

Commenting on the new pay deal, regional officer Alan Adler said being a member of the Unite union "puts money in your pocket".

Mr Adler continued, saying: "Our members should be congratulated on their new pay deal.

"Unite is the winning union in the road haulage sector and we will be looking at other employers who aren't paying their workers fairly."

The strike action would have impacted the St Andrew Road Terminal in Avonmouth, and could have affected Esso, BP, Asda, Rontec, and various supermarkets.

GB News has contacted Oxalis for a comment.

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