News

Strike action by Cemex UK ready-mix owner-drivers has been avoided after the comp-any agreed a pay deal worth 7% on existing haulage rates. More than 700 drivers were gearing up for industrial action because they were unhappy with Cemex UK's systems, which meant some were not being paid on time, or correctly.

But the new deal, and a promise to sort out the outstanding problems, has reassured Mick Binns of MB Driver Services, who represents about half of the owner-drivers.

"It has  been a long struggle to get this far, but it is a good deal and I am very pleased," says Binns. He is optimistic that the remaining problems over the payment systems will be addressed. And he hopes the firm will follow through on the promise made by Cemex UK vice president for materials Mike Ogden - who is about to leave the company - to resolve the outstanding administrative issues with payment.

A spokeswoman for Cemex UK confirmed that the company has reached a new, two-year national rate agreement with its independent ready-mix concrete hauliers. "Both parties have also agreed to review the current payment system in favour of a simplified structure that will ease the administrational burden, improve delivery efficiency and reward productivity," says the spokeswoman.

She says it paves the way for a modernisation of the independent haulier model, which Cemex has used for more than 40 years. On the issue of ongoing problems with payment, Cemex says its long-standing national  ready-mix fleet manager will continue to work with independent hauliers to resolve any "outstanding issues they may have".