Castle cement wants talks without union
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/ The transport dispute at cement manufacturer Castle Cement looks set to escalate following warnings this week that the company's drivers will go on strike again.
Following a one-day strike earlier this month the Transport and General Workers Union is planning further stoppages among the 220 drivers. It also says it will be able to stop any attempt by the company to use outside contractors or sack drivers.
Castle Cement says it will not negotiate through the TGWU: We have to fmd a more efficient way of operating and we'd rather talk direct to the men," says the company.
It says it has no plans to withdraw the contracts issued to each driver on 31 July.
TGWU national secretary Len McClusky says: "The industrial action is still in existence with a series of one-day strikes that can be called at any time."
He adds: "The union is happy to meet to talk about any new working practices but we don't want derecognition." Over 95% of the drivers have voted for strike action.
The company admits to "changing its distribution arrangements" during the strike: McClusky says it was forced to use two extra depots and to employ private hauliers.