GMB seeks assurances on Lafarge Holcim merger

Union seeking talks with both firms on jobs and terms and conditions of employment for UK workers

GMB, the union for workers in building materials sector, is seeking assurances on jobs and terms and conditions for more than 10,000 workers across the UK who could be affected by the merger of Holcim and Lafarge.

The proposed merger was agreed by the boards of both companies last weekend.

The union says that as the competition issues are not going to be resolved until next year, there will be a period of 15–16 months of uncertainty hanging over the employees of both firms.

Holcim, trading in the UK as Aggregate Industries, employ around 3,500 workers in the UK, while Lafarge Tarmac employ some 7,000 workers at more than 300 locations across the country.

Allan Black, GMB National Officer, said: ‘The competition authorities are bound to take a fairly severe view of this merger. They will almost certainly be told to sell some assets.

‘This isn’t going to be resolved until next year, which means there’s going to be a period of 15–16 months of uncertainty hanging over the employees of both companies.

‘GMB will be seeking talks with both companies on what they plan and what parts of their operations they will sell. We will be seeking assurances on jobs and terms and conditions of employment.’

Both Holcim and Lafarge say it is too early to comment on the potential impact on jobs if the £26 billion (€32 billion) merger goes ahead.