Grangemouth oil refinery, Scotland's main fuel depot, is being picketed by Shell tanker drivers in a row over pay.

Around 600 drivers are to take part in the industrial action after talks between the Unite union and managers from two firms which deliver fuel to Shell garages, broke down amid fears it could cause petrol shortages.

Only one tanker had left the refinery fully loaded today and the driver had promised not to return. Eight tankers had turned back. There could be fuel shortages by Sunday.

The strike which will affect around one in 10 of Britain's petrol stations, has raised fears that there will be petrol shortages over the weekend.

Union leaders have predicted that supplies could run out within 24 hours of the strike beginning.


Yesterday, Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey said that talks had broken down between the union and the employers, Hoyer and Suckling. Mr McCluskey said: "Shell's failure to intervene in this dispute means that Shell's drivers have no alternative other than to go ahead with strike action, beginning on Friday June 13th, 2008.

"This dispute could have been resolved if Shell had advanced a fraction of the billions of pounds in profit they make every month.

"One of the world's richest companies is prepared to play Pontius Pilate and see the British public inconvenienced rather than settle this dispute for a sum smaller than the chairman's pay increase last year.

Mr McCluskey added that provision had been made for fire, police and the emergency services.

Shell has said that it had contingency plans in place but has admitted that some of its 1,000 petrol stations might run out of fuel.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the Government will do "everything" it can to stop pumps running dry and has refused to rule out that the Army will be called in to help.

Hoyer and Suckling have said that their current pay offer of 7% will bring driver's average salary to about £41,500, which is up from the current average of £36,500.

However, it is understood that bosses are getting a pay raise of between 15% to 28%.

Bernie Holloway from Hoyer UK said that the offer has been extended to "the very limits" that the business can sustain.

(GK/JM)