Posted on 03/28/2012 8:27:41 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
Panic buying broke out at petrol stations throughout the country today as ministers were accused of spreading fear by telling motorists to stock up on fuel in case of a strike by tanker drivers.
Some filling stations ran out and others began rationing petrol and diesel after ministers’ warnings of a major disruption to fuel supplies.
Tanker drivers from the Unite trade union have voted for industrial action, raising the prospect of a strike that could affect supplies to 90 per cent of fuel stations.
No date has been set for a strike, but ministers suggested that action could begin as soon as next week, disrupting the Easter weekend.
Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister, urged motorists to consider storing petrol at home.
“As and when, when it makes sense, a bit of extra fuel in a jerry can in the garage is a sensible precaution to take,” he said.
Soon afterwards, David Cameron suggested that drivers should fill their tanks. “If there is an opportunity to top up your tank if a strike is potentially on the way, then it is a sensible thing if you are able to do that,” he said.
The Prime Minister yesterday convened the Cobra emergencies committee to discuss contingency planning for a strike, and said that motorists should be taking their own precautions too.
The warnings over supplies sent some motorists rushing to the pumps.
Industry estimates suggested that fuel sales were almost 50 per cent higher than would be expected on a weekday in March.
Fuel stations in areas including Merseyside, North Wales and Lancashire ran dry because of demand. Forecourts in London and Essex also ran short.
Industry analysts said demand was highest in parts of the country that had an older population.
In Christchurch, Dorset, police closed filling stations after
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Man, you really just can’t make this crap up.
I’ve never shook my head so hard!
The British have emergency oil reserves but that is reserved in case of an attack.
I like to keep a 3 to 6 mo tactical supply of Diesel to be independent of this sort of cr@p.
But the size of that reserve is unkown.
Just bring up a bunch of drivers from Mexico.. problem solved.
” Tanker drivers from the Unite trade union have voted for industrial action, raising the prospect of a strike that could affect supplies to 90 per cent of fuel stations.”
Too bad they don’t have a Mexico over there to provide them with easy scabs. Or is the Middle East their Mexico, I forget?
Thanks bruinbirdman.
Too bad they don’t have a Mexico over there to provide them with easy scabs. Or is the Middle East their Mexico, I forget?
It would be Polish or Spanish scabs....:^)
There is also talk of using the army to deliver fuel to the petrol stations.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/mar/25/army-standby-tanker-strike-fuel
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