Concrete strike talks collapse
By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawaiian Cement management and union negotiators were unable to reach a settlement last night after meeting for a second consecutive day in efforts to halt a strike that has stalled O'ahu's booming construction industry.
No further contract talks were scheduled with either Hawaiian Cement or Ameron, O'ahu's two major concrete producers. Workers went on strike a week ago over health-plan payments and other issues.
Talks broke off at about 9:15 last night, nearly seven hours after they resumed at the Teamsters and Allied Workers Local 996 headquarters in Kalihi.
Hawaiian Cement vice president Michael Coad said both sides exchanged proposals last night, including new ideas on healthcare "cost-sharing," though he did not give details.
"The night's discussions were not as positive as I had hoped," Coad said.
Teamsters president Mel Kahele said the union proposed that the contract remain at status quo for one year and "look at reasonable increases in wages and pension." He said he was surprised that the company did not agree.
Labor leader Tony Rutledge, the head of Unity House, an umbrella labor organization, visited union headquarters yesterday to offer strike benefits to striking workers, Kahele said.
Coad said he believed that federal mediator Ken Kawamoto was also trying to get the Ameron contract talks restarted and said some agreement on Ameron issues might help Hawaiian Cement negotiations.
The work stoppage started with 144 Ameron workers striking Feb. 6. A day later, 67 Hawaiian Cement employees went on strike.
The ripple effects have slowed housing and other large construction projects around O'ahu. Hundreds of construction workers have been told to stay home because they cannot proceed without concrete.
The strike also led to Ameron laying off 25 non-union employees yesterday.
Coad said Hawaiian Cement has no plans to lay off its non-union employees, but "if this thing should drag on, that's something that we need to look at."
The issues at both companies were sick leave and company proposals to increase employee contributions to healthcare plans.
In their old contract, Hawaiian Cement workers paid nothing for their healthcare plans. Hawaiian Cement proposed that they pay 20 percent of the costs.
Ameron wants its union employees to increase their payment from 20 percent to 30 percent.
At Hawaiian Cement, the average employee made $85,000, while the highest paid union workers earned $116,000 in 2003.
Most of Ameron's workers — 60 cement mixer drivers — earn $25.54 an hour. They work an average of 55 hours a week including overtime and earned a median salary of $71,433. The highest paid Ameron Teamster earned $120,880 in 2002.
University of Hawai'i economist Carl Bonham said the impact of the concrete strike on the economy could be kept minimal if the walkout does not go beyond 10 days.
"It's not like the projects aren't going to get finished. ... You can count on the fact that when these guys go back to work, they're going to be working long hours to catch up," Bonham said.
Reach Kelly Yamanouchi at kyamanouchi@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2470.
