Displaying items by tag: workers

Canada: Heidelberg Materials North America has locked out 44 employees of its concrete plants in Kamloops, Kelowna, and Penticton, British Columbia, amid unresolved labour negotiations. Castanet News has reported that the workers’ union says it is waiting for dates for a mediation by the provincial Labour Board.

Heidelberg Materials North America Director of Communications Jeff Sieg said "Heidelberg Materials has been in negotiations, unfortunately, attempts to reach a fair and competitive labour agreement have been unsuccessful. Heidelberg Materials remains committed to finding a path forward and is hopeful continued discussions at the bargaining table will enable us to reach a fair and mutually agreeable offer."

Cyprus: The Pancypriot Ready-Mix Concrete Producers and Distributors Association (PSKPÉS) dissolved on 2 December 2024, as workers began to return to work following a two-month strike. The Cyprus Mail newspaper has reported that 480 (86%) of 560 ready-mix concrete workers have now signed deals with employers. 25 companies have signed, out of a total 35 affected. This follows the failure of the PSKPÉS to produce a collective agreement with unions.

Union representative Stelios Efstratiou said "Next steps wherever employers have failed to sign are still to be determined."

Australia: A court has fined Novus Precast US$19,500 for failures leading to two incidents in 2022 and 2023 during which workers at its Toowoomba precast concrete plant were hit on the head with a chain and suffered a crushed finger. Local press has reported that Novus Precast neglected to ensure that operations conformed to its safe work method statement.

Cyprus: Ready-mix concrete workers are continuing a now two-week-long strike to demand higher rates of pay for overtime work. PhileNews has reported that the strikers are seeking an increase from 1.25 times the base rate to 1.4 times for weekdays and 1.8 times for weekends. They have reportedly rejected a compromise proposal by the government.