Global Labor Group Claims Role In Aggregate Industries Strike Settlement

Networking ICEM members on both sides of the Atlantic reportedly factored into negotiations leading to settlement of late-August strikes at Aggregate Industries Northeast concrete and asphalt operations

Source: International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM), Geneva

By Don Marsh

Networking ICEM members on both sides of the Atlantic reportedly factored into negotiations leading to settlement of late-August strikes at Aggregate Industries Northeast concrete and asphalt operations. Teamsters Local 25 and 170 members picketed 20 Massachusetts and New Hampshire plants for 10 days in a contract dispute over proposed benefit and hour reductions, plus seniority system changes.

Teamsters Local 42 and 633 members covered under separate collective bargaining agreements with Aggregate Industries honored roving pickets at operations throughout the company’s Northeast Region, and in some instances joined picketing driver and plant operator colleagues represented by Locals 25 and 170. The strike was settled August 26 with 130 union members ratifying a three-year contract described by Local 25 Secretary-Treasurer Mark Harrington as protecting wages, pension contributions and health care benefits, but reflecting work rule changes from prior agreements.

In an early-September brief, ICEM noted it had intervened in the strike by way of Aggregate IndustriesÌ Swiss parent, Holcim Group, as had Unia, a Swiss inter-profession trade union. Unia and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters are members of ICEM, which aims to unite labor groups worldwide across six sectors, including Materials (Glass, Ceramics, Cement). Topping ICEM focus areas are a) negotiating and monitoring multinational companiesÌ global agreements, with an emphasis on workersÌ rights, equality at work, and health, safety and environmental protection standards; b) networking trade union representatives within global corporations; and, c) coordinating solidarity and support for member unions during disputes.