THE union representing tanker drivers has warned that Government efforts to "politically charge" the fuel dispute could scupper the prospect of a deal to avert strikes.
With talks set to begin at the conciliation service Acas tomorrow, the Unite union urged the Government to distance itself from speculation that the message during the week to stockpile fuel was part of a deliberate strategy to give the coalition its "miners moment."
While the threat of a strike before Easter appears to be receding, along with the levels of fuel panic-buying, the AA reported fresh incidents of motorists filling up using inappropriate items, such as glass flagons, with petrol.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: "It is now clear there will not be a strike before Easter and I'm sure the whole country will welcome that news. It is vitally important the trade union in question enters these talks on Monday constructively. The most constructive thing they could do would be to call off the strike entirely.
"That would ease pressure in the system still further. The Government will continue with its contingency plans."
But Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, said: "We call on the Government to come clean on its whole approach to this dispute. Is it acting as an honest broker, or is it spoiling for a fight to get itself out of the political hole its class-focussed economic mismanagement has put it in?
"Over the last few days its every move has been designed to whip up unnecessary tension at the expense of the public. Ministers knew all along that a strike could not possibly be less than seven days away even were it to be called – that is the law. Yet they panicked the nation because they imagined it would boost them in the polls.
"This is an industry of vital strategic importance, which is being rocked by cost-cutting by companies making billions in profit and where safety and training is being cut to the bone. The Government should take a lead in addressing these issues, instead it is ready to meet the companies to discuss strike-breaking."
McCluskey added: "This could have been avoided. For the past two years we have asked this Government to work with us to sort the problems in this industry. We asked them repeatedly to help ensure that Acas talks began in a conducive and helpful environment. However, it is becoming clear that they had no interest in this, preferring instead to plot to take down a union."
In response, a Conservative Party spokesman said: "The Government has always been clear this is about doing everything possible to protect the country from a potentially crippling strike, and not about playing politics."
Meanwhile, Labour MPs have continued to call for the resignation of Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude, who faced a barrage or criticism from fire experts since advising motorists earlier this week to store jerry cans of fuel in their garages.
Diane Hill, 46, from York, was recovering in hospital yesterday with 40% burns after vapours ignited as she decanted petrol from one container to another, setting fire to her clothing.
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