EURO GARAGES is among several fuel retailers across the North West likely to be hit by a dispute at the Stanlow Oil refinery in Cheshire, were workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike in opposition to proposed job cuts.

Fuel tanker drivers, who deliver fuel from the refinery to petrol stations, voted in favour of strike action by 96.2%, with the ballot closing on October 9 after employer Hoyer Petrolog UK refused to withdraw proposals to make six of its 28 drivers at the refinery redundant and replace them with agency workers.

As a result, the strike will cause considerable disruption to fuel suppliers, road users and the aviation industry across the North of England with the tanker drivers set to begin their strike on November 2.

Unite regional officer Steve Gerrard said: “Unite’s members have delivered a stunning mandate in favour of industrial action."

After November 2, strikes will also take place throughout the month on 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20, 23, 25 and 27.

Mr Gerrard said: “Our members regret that their action will cause considerable disruption to fuel deliveries but believe they have no other option in order to save their jobs.

“Fuel tanker drivers are frontline workers and throughout this pandemic their work has ensured other frontline workers can continue to work.

“They deserve to be treated better than this. The ball is now firmly in Hoyer’s court."

Along with Blackburn-headquartered Euro Garages, other suppliers that look set to be disrupted include Shell, Esso, BP, Essar, World Fuel Services (WFS), Motor Fuel Group (MFG), Rontec and Green Energy.