Cemex plays down owner-driver strike threat

Cemex has played down the threat of strike action by concrete mixer owner drivers unhappy at pay rates and poor service levels.

Mike Ogden, vice president of materials at Cemex, claimed there was "no appetite for industrial action" despite receiving a letter from Mick Binns, who represents about half of Cemex owner drivers, complaining that drivers and customers were suffering due to the company's restructuring programme (CJ, 22 August).

He told CJ discussions over rates were ongoing and that a simplified pay structure was being designed.

"I am committed to owner drivers and we understand that what they want is to fill up trucks and get good earnings," he added.

In relation to waste and quality issues, Ogden admitted there had been problems with call centre staff misunderstanding orders.

"It takes some time for call centre staff to understand how the industry works," he said. "It almost has its own language, which is difficult to get to grips with. The acronyms and terms people use may not be familiar to our new telephone operators."