LONDON, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Drivers contracted to one of the UK's major oil companies, Shell, have voted by an overwhelming majority to take strike action in a dispute over pay and amid mounting frustrations that industry profiteering is undermining job security.

The 500 drivers, all members of Unite, the UK's biggest union, are employed by Hoyer on Shell contracts, working out of terminals across mainland Britain to supply fuel the length and breadth of the country.

The tanker drivers voted 95 percent (Hoyer drivers) and 87 percent (Suckling Shell) drivers in favour of strike action. The drivers work an average 48-hour week and many take home GBP23,000 after tax (around GBP34,000 pre-tax). Unite is attempting to achieve a minimum salary of GBP36,000 for all Shell drivers.

Ron Webb, Unite National Secretary for road transport, said the strong vote in favour of strike reflected increasing anger among workers:

"These drivers are paying a hefty price for Shell's stratospheric profits. In the first quarter of this year alone, Shell banked GBP4 billion in profit, yet they continue to force cost-cutting through their supply chain and shorter contracts onto contractors, with constant pressure and demands on our members to improve productivity, which they have delivered.

"Our members' dedication helped Shell make its vast profits. All they are asking for in return is a living wage, one that reflects their skills, their heavy working week and helps make ends meet at a time when every worker in the country is being hit hard by rising fuel and food prices.

"Not content with making the consumer pay through the nose for fuel, Shell, along with the other oil majors, wants our members to suffer too. But we have a firm mandate for action and a workforce that is extremely angry about how they are being treated.

"Shell would be far better placed if they were to stop stuffing their shareholders' pockets and ensure their contractor Hoyer had the resources to conclude a deal that is acceptable to our members and will prevent disruption for the country."

Unite are to meet with the employer, Hoyer, for further discussions in an effort to broker a deal for the drivers and avert industrial action.

Notes to editors: The drivers balloted work on Shell contracts at Coryton, Luton, Kingsbury, Stanlow, Jarrow, Killingholme, Hythe, Avonmouth, Plymouth, Pembroke, Cardiff, Inverness, Aberdeen and Grangemouth.

For further information contact Pauline Doyle in the Unite press office on +44(0)7976-832-861