THE second round of strike action by fuel tanker drivers in the Borders has been called off.

Last week members of Unite, the union, who drive fuel tankers for Hoyer - which recently rebranded as Oxalis - went on strike over a pay dispute.

Drivers postponed their strike action last week and the industrial action scheduled for this week has since been called off after members at the Stanlow oil refinery accepted a deal from Hoyer.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Congratulations to Oxalis’ Stanlow tanker drivers, who stood together for better pay and won.

"This is yet another example of how Unite’s unrelenting focus on improving jobs, pay and conditions is boosting our members’ incomes.”

Oxalis drivers supply forecourts in the Borders with fuel, as well as Jet2 services at Liverpool Airport.

As part of the deal, Unite reported that drivers will now receive a £2.02 an hour pay increase, as well as a £1 per hour fuel efficiency payment, both backdated to May 2023.  In addition, pay will increase by £1.99 an hour for 2024, backdated to February this year.

Unite regional officer Paul Lomax said: “This pay win could not have been secured without the hard work and solidarity of our members.

"Those looking for a better deal at work should join Unite and get their colleagues to join too.”

An Oxalis Logistics spokesperson added: "Oxalis were pleased to resolve the issue with our Stanlow-based drivers without unnecessary industrial action taking place.

"Whilst the overall value of our pay offer did not change in the final few weeks of negotiations, we were able to satisfy our colleagues requests to redirect monies from one element of their pay to another.

"Most importantly, operations continued as normal and neither our customers or the general public were affected whatsoever."