An incident last night at BP Coventry where a staff member was deliberately driven into and through the glass front of
the BP service station is of grave concern to BP, said Managing Director Peter Griffiths.
The incident occurred when a customer used his vehicle as a weapon against the attendant, driving into him and
subsequently through the front doors of the BP shop with the attendant on the bonnet of the vehicle.
Peter Griffiths said that “BP finds this type of behaviour completely unacceptable. Our forecourt staff are the sons and
daughters, mums and dads of ordinary New Zealanders. No New Zealander should be subjected to verbal abuse or threatening
behaviour to simply earn their living.”
This incident is an extreme example of the abusive behaviour that our forecourt staff have been increasingly subjected
to over recent weeks. Most of this abuse has followed fuel price movements, over which forecourt staff have absolutely
no control or influence.
“I am disappointed at what appears to be a growing number of people failing to display common courtesy. It is not
unreasonable to expect this while doing your job.”
The high oil price is an international issue impacting every nation. New Zealand is being well served by its competitive
market place which has seen BP drop its petrol prices by 3 cents a litre yesterday in an early response to reductions in
crude oil and refined product costs.
“We value the contribution made by our forecourt staff, and their desire to offer good service to our customers. BP does
not accept that this should include any threat to their personal safety or well-being.”
ENDS
For further information, contact:
Oliver Mander, Pricing Manager
Phone: 04 495 5569
Pager: 026 100 404
Mob.: 025 303-446