"Westhoughton: Hanson lorry drivers vote on strike action", 13 September 2021

The building industry could be facing severe cement shortages this autumn if lorry drivers employed by a Bolton based firm vote for strike action.

... 200 drivers and engineers, employed by Westhoughton based Hanson, are involved in a pay dispute and have rejected an offer of a 2.5 per cent rise this year, as they say this would amount to a cut in real terms.

With an inflation rate of 3.9 per cent, Unite the unions says this seriously impact drivers' livelihoods...

The 200-plus drivers supply dry cement to construction projects around the country, including Hinkley Point, HS2, Sellafield and Thames Tideway as well as various smaller projects.

This means that if strikes occur these projects will quickly run short of cement...

As well as pay, Unite says that drivers were unhappy about a "marked lack of dignity at work."...

..."Hanson’s is simply not giving its drivers the respect they deserve.

"This is apparent in their working conditions and their pay...

Hanson UK CEO Simon Willis said: “Our negotiations are ongoing, so we are unable to give any further details concerning the discussions at this time.

“We are committed to arriving at an agreeable settlement so that we will be able to continue to supply our customers, as we have done throughout the pandemic and during the current levels of high demand for our products.”