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The King and Queen are facing a cold Christmas due to December strikes by tanker drivers delivering fuel to Sandringham.
Around 400 Certas tanker drivers who also deliver fuel to Royal Mail, Gulf forecourts, the military and schools are walking out over pay, the Unite union has confirmed.
They are striking over a 2% pay offer, which they argue is a real terms pay cut with the current rate of RPI inflation running at 4.3%.
The drivers deliver petrol, diesel, heating oil and lubrication oil to clients across the UK, including at the Royal Sandringham Estate.
The Royal Family is known to visit the West Norfolk estate for the festive season, and could be affected by any shortages caused by a lack of deliveries.
The news could also potentially impact Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the disgraced former prince, who is expected to move to the estate at some point in the new year.
Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Certas drivers don’t expect to be treated like royalty, but they do expect a fair pay rise from their employer.
“Unite is backing them all the way during their strikes for a reasonable pay increase.”
Certas is based in Warrington, but the drivers are located across the UK as they pick up fuel from different oil refineries and deliver to clients across the country.
They will strike next Monday (December 22), from January 5-11, and then again from January 19-25. Industrial action will intensify if the dispute is not resolved, Unite has warned.
Unite national officer Tony Devlin said: “The strikes will inevitably cause severe disruption for Certas’ clients but this is entirely the fault of the company for offering a pay cut dressed up as a rise.
“There is still time to avoid industrial action but that will require a pay offer that is acceptable to our members.”
Certas was approached for comment but has yet to respond.
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