WIN Wincanton Plc

U.K. hauliers are to meet Energy Secretary Ed Davey Friday to discuss how they could limit the impact of a possible strike by fuel tanker drivers.

Jon Farr, an energy department spokesman, said the meeting would take place to discuss contingency plans but they wouldn't be discussing the dispute itself.

"The government is staying in regular contact with the parties involved," he said.

Wincanton PLC (WIN.LN), a tanker company confirmed it had received an invitation from the government to discuss how it could offer help if fuel drivers go on strike, Victoria Aitchison, a spokeswoman for the company said Friday.

Retail sales of gasoline in the U.K. have risen dramatically since Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude advised drivers to fill up jerry cans with gasoline in case of a strike by U.K. fuel tanker drivers over working conditions.

Unite, the union representing the drivers, said in an email Friday that it is continuing to work with U.K. arbitration body, ACAS, on talks to reach a solution. A date for the strike has not been set.

The union quoted a driver with 18 years experience who said working conditions had "never been worse," with some drivers brought in with only two days of training and on low pay.

Critics have accused ministers of mismanaging the strike threat and fueling panic buying of gasoline.

Keely Scanlan, a spokeswoman for the Retail Motor Industry Federation said Friday that the handling of the situation was "irresponsible" and that the government should have contacted the industry before encouraging drivers to top up their tanks if a stoppage looked likely.

Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSA), which has one of the U.K.'s largest gasoline station networks, said: "Shell does not have its own distribution fleet. Our contractors, Hoyer & Suckling, distribute our products to Shell petrol stations. Hoyer could not be reached for comment.

"These issues are for consideration between the hauliers and their employees. We hope a resolution can be found soon and that any inconvenience to our customers can be avoided," a Shell statement said.

Tanker drivers working for five of the U.K.'s seven major fuel-distribution companies voted Monday to strike over working conditions and health and safety practices, fueling fears of shortages and higher prices at the pumps.

-By Jenny Gross, Dow Jones Newswires; 4420-7842-9239; jenny.gross@dowjones.com

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