Shell Warns Of Fuel Shortage If Drivers' Strike Is Prolonged

London, England (AHN) - Shell drivers are planning a second strike next week, as the first four-day strike starts Friday, in a bid to increase their wages.

Because of the industrial action, British motorists have been advised to conserve fuel by not bringing their cars and to place sufficient gas on their tanks, but not to panic-buy.

But many drivers opted not to follow the government advice, leading to long queues in gas stations. Because of the surge in demand despite the soaring oil prices, some Shell stations in southern England warned they would run out of supply.

All of Shell's 150 truck drivers under contract at Shell's Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port were on strike and would picket the premises until Tuesday morning. Drivers from other oil companies refused to cross the picket line.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was extremely disappointed with the breakdown of the negotiation between the drivers and Shell. "We would strongly urge the parties of this dispute to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible," Brown appealed, quoted by the Guardian Unlimited.

The Unite union said the tanker drivers are unhappy with their below $62,372 (32,000 pound) annual wage which had not risen since 1992, while they had to work longer hours. Shell said the average pay of drivers is over $70,171 (36,000 pound) each year, which would have gone up to $76,018 (39,000 pound) had they agreed to an offer from Shell.