Petrol stations face closure as less than half of union's members vote for strike action

Motorists are being held to ransom by 1,000 militant tanker drivers who yesterday voted for a national strike.

The walkout, which threatens to wreck the Easter break, could close nearly 8,000 petrol stations.

Army personnel are being trained to drive the tankers and are on standby to maintain essential supplies.

But only a minority of union members voted for the strike.

Unite, the union led by militant Len McCluskey, balloted members at seven major haulage and oil companies in a dispute over pay and conditions for drivers.

Across these organisations, the union has 2,062 members.

But only 1,001 voted in favour of striking – 48.5 per cent. Read More