Cemex drivers to strike over pay dispute

Cemex drivers supplying construction materials across the UK have voted for strike action in a dispute over pay.

A continuous work to rule will begin on Monday 22 May, followed by an initial 24 hour strike on 26 May.

The 82 HGV drivers returned an 87% vote in favour of strike action and action short of a strike after they were offered a 1.6% increase on pay and allowances backdated to July 2016.

The Unite union said major construction projects would be affected by the action, including work at Heathrow and the Mersey Gateway.

The drivers are based at four depots: Rugby, Tilbury, Barton-on-Humber and Newport.

Adrian Jones, Unite national officer for road transport, said: “Cemex was warned that members were never going to accept a pay offer which was effectively a real terms pay cut. The overwhelming yes vote has proved this is the case.

“Cemex still has time to avert this dispute by returning to the negotiating table and making an offer which meets our members’ expectations and properly rewards them for their skills, dedication and hard work.”

A Cemex spokeswoman said it had robust contingency plans in place to manage any industrial action and that it would ensure a continued supply of bulk cement to its customers.

She added: “Supply of all other Cemex UK products is not affected by this ballot.

“The offer made to our HGV cement tanker drivers, representing fewer than two and a half percent of the Cemex UK workforce, is the same as that already in place for the rest of our 3,000 UK employees and relates to the pay increase awarded for last year.

“Cemex UK continues to proactively seek positive engagement with all our drivers and Unite.”