Shell drivers' job threat by Ian Wylie • More than
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50 tanker drivers at the Shell Haven refinery in Essex face an uncertain future after the oil giant admitted it may shut the operation.
Shell UK has begun to consult staff on a one-toone basis—it derecognised the unions three years ago—about its plan to focus refining at the company's larger refinery at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire.
Shell blames over-capacity and flat demand for oil products.
Shell Haven is a relatively small refinery processing 39-million barrels of crude oil and feedstock a year with 290 production workers.
But the delivery operation also employs 53 drivers and 17 office staff at its adjoining terminal. According to Shell a closure would be unlikely to affect drivers and terminal workers. The company is considering buying oil supplies from the neighbouring BP/Mobil refinery in Essex, then delivering to its customers as usual using the existing fleet of tankers and drivers.
Before a final decision is taken about the refinery's future, Shell says "extensive" staff consultations will take place during which each member of staff will be given an opportunity to air his views. If closure remains the preferred option, the refinery is likely to be shut down at the end of next year. Shell claims severance terms offered to employees would be "substantial" and says it would try to redeploy staff elsewhere within the company.