No concrete talks scheduled

By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaiian Cement and the Hawai'i Teamsters and Allied Workers Local 996 exchanged proposals last Friday but were unable to come to agreement.

The work stoppage started with 144 Ameron Hawaii workers striking Feb. 6. A day later, 67 Hawaiian Cement employees went on strike. Ameron and Hawaiian Cement are the largest concrete producers in the state.

Hawaiian Cement vice president Michael Coad said on Friday that 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.

George West, Ameron Hawaii's vice president of O'ahu operations, said yesterday if Kawamoto decides to restart negotiations between the Teamsters and Ameron, "We're available."

Last week Ameron laid off 25 nonunion employees because of a lack of work.

The strike has 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 issues at the center of the strike at both companies include union demands for more sick leave and company proposals to increase employee contributions to healthcare plans.

At Hawaiian Cement, the average employee made $85,000 in 2003.

Most of Ameron's workers — 60 cement mixer drivers — earn $25.54 an hour. But with an average of 55 hours per week including overtime, the highest paid Ameron Teamster made $120,880 in 2002. The median salary was $71,433.

Reach Kelly Yamanouchi at 535-2470 or at kyamanouchi@honoluluadvertiser.com.