UK Gasoline Sales Jump On Fuel Strike Fears
Baku, March 30 (AZERTAC). Sales of gasoline and diesel soared in the U.K. Wednesday after the government recommended motorists top up their tanks to prepare for a possible strike by fuel tanker drivers.
Although unions representing the disgruntled drivers haven't called a strike and must give seven days notice of any stoppage, the Retail Motor Industry Federation--a trade group representing some 5,500 independent filling stations--said sales of gasoline were 81% higher Wednesday than on the same day last week, while diesel sales jumped 43%.
Critics have accused ministers of mismanaging the strike threat and fueling panic buying, heaping more pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron after his government's annual budget last week was criticized for increasing the tax burden on pensioners and popular cheap hot baked foods.
Tanker drivers working for five of the U.K.'s seven major fuel distribution firms voted Monday to strike over working conditions and health and safety practices, fueling fears of shortages and higher prices at the pumps. The drivers are represented by the Unite trade union.
Wednesday, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said people may want to store some gasoline in a jerry can in their garage while Cameron said it would be sensible for drivers to top up their tanks if a stoppage looked likely.
Although trade groups, opposition and local media have blamed those comments for triggering an increase in demand for gasoline, Energy Minister Ed Davey said Thursday that drivers should get a full tank of gas at the pump rather than a half tank and top up where necessary.
Ministers have repeatedly said a strike would be wrong and damage the economy and the government has said it is working on contingency measures to ensure fuel supply, such as training relief drivers from the military and maximizing storage. But although it has urged the two sides in the dispute to negotiate, the government's message has been overshadowed by its guidance for drivers.
Opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband said Cameron and Maude should apologize to the country for the way they have handled the issue.
"We should conclude that process by Monday and would then hope substantive discussions would follow shortly afterwards," a spokesman for the group said in a statement.
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