In an emergency meeting held last night at the Hilton, Petroleum retailers voted unanimously to strike if government does not allow them to raise their margins for gasoline.
Gas station owners say they are squeezed between high wholsale costs and low retail margins, causing some to operate at a loss.
While stations will be open today, the vote allows Bahamas Petroleum Retailer Association (BPRA) members the option to strike at any time.
Oswald Moore, president of the association, said the group will take a few days to cool off before taking further action.
Last night and this morning, gas stations around New Providence were jammed with motorists trying to fill up their tanks ahead of any strike action.
Reatilers want the net margis increased from $0.44 per gallon to $0.74 per gallon for gasoline and from $0.19 to $0.47 for diesel.
Minister of State for the Environment, Phenton Neymour says government is considering the request.
Gas station retailers acknowledge that a strike would shut down the nation, causing substantila finaicnal losses, but feel that a strike threat is a good incentive to force goverment to comply with their demands.
At least one gas station owner says he will remain open during a strike to capitalize on the situation.
