We have invoked our contingency plans to prevent any associated disruption to fuel supplies

Dave Blakemore, Conoco

A strike ballot among Conoco's 130 Transport and General Workers' Union drivers showed 102 in favour of strike action and eight against.

The union said it had not been given guarantees over the future of pensions, profit-related pay and share option schemes for the drivers should a distribution company take over the work.

Danny Bryan, TGWU national secretary for transport, said: "The message from the drivers was very clear following the ballot. Their determination is also very clear and they will take action."

Dave Blakemore, Conoco's marketing manager, said: "Strike action is not in the interests of either the company or the union's members, in the face of extremely competitive market conditions.

Discussions continue

"We have invoked our contingency plans to prevent any associated disruption to fuel supplies."

The company also said that most filling stations would be able to cope with a 24-hour stoppage.

Mr Blakemore added that discussions were continuing to help resolve the drivers' concern.

He said: "We have offered all employees transferring to the new employer equivalent pay, which is greater than we are required to offer by law."

The five Conoco depots which will be hit by the stoppage, which is due to start at 0400 BST, are at Immingham on Humberside, Jarrow on Tyneside, Plymouth, Belfast, and Kingsbury, Warwickshire.

American-based oil group Conoco took over Yorkshire-based Jet 40 years ago and supplies fuel to its 600 outlets across the UK.

Pumps dry

The move by tanker drivers comes almost a year after supplies to petrol stations across the UK were hit after demonstrators blockaded refineries.

Pumps ran dry as farmers and hauliers picketed outside fuel plants for more than a week.

Another TGWU dispute is also threatening to disrupt fuel supplies.

Around 100 tanker drivers at P&O's Trans-European division are being balloted on strike action, with the result expected at the end of Augus.

The drivers in this division transport bulk chemicals which include additives to fuel.