Graniterock’s cement mixer truck drivers throughout the region
went on strike Tuesday, as their Teamsters Union 912 is against the
construction company’s intentions to hire temporary workers to fill
in during workers’ vacations.
Graniterock’s cement mixer truck drivers throughout the region went on strike Tuesday, as their Teamsters Union 912 is against the construction company’s intentions to hire temporary workers to fill in during workers’ vacations.
The two sides are currently negotiating a contract. The previous five-year deal expired May 31, according to Graniterock President Bruce Woolpert. Teamsters 287, 890 and 912 are the unions on strike.
“We’re not serving our customers and we’re very unhappy about that,” Woolpert said.
The Gilroy branch’s concrete division most immediately affects San Benito County. The sand and gravel division that also serves the county will not experience delays, Woolpert said. The other branches on strike include those at the Aromas Quarry, Watsonville, Salinas, Santa Cruz, San Jose and Seaside.
He said the two sides do not disagree about financial issues of the contract negotiations, and that he had not expected the strike before it occurred. Woolpert said the Graniterock teamsters union had not been on strike since the 1970s, and there has been no recent history of problems.
“It was a very huge surprise Tuesday morning,” he said.
Union President Joe Fahey did not return phone calls Wednesday.
Woolpert said the company has not previously hired any fill-in workers. Graniterock does intend, however, to hire five or six people to form a pool to help when full-time workers go on vacation. They would be needed primarily during the summer months.
Woolpert said he doesn’t understand the strike, and he speculated the union has concerns that part-time workers may lead to other changes in the future.
“I actually think it’s more ‘Boogey-man’ thinking, that this could erupt into something else,” Woolpert said.
Woolpert said the only purpose of the additional workers is to maximize the number of drivers available. He mentioned bus drivers or retirees from Graniterock as possibilities for the part-time positions. The company currently has 120 retired drivers.
Woolpert said he is ready to negotiate now. The Teamsters Union has requested a federal mediator to help resolve the issue.
“I’m available all day today (Thursday) and all day tonight,” he said.
