Site closure in Weardale
The closure of cement works at Weardale, announced in January 2002 and effective in August for the main part of the production process, caused the release of over two-thirds of the workforce. Lafarge consulted the staff, held weekly discussions with employee representatives and worked in partnership with all trade unions to find the most appropriate solution.
Lafarge provided a series of local tools to help employees find alternatives, particularly a dedicated Human Resource manager on site for the closure period and an on-site Job Shop to publish vacancies locally and within Lafarge; led seminars for people relocated to work in depots some distance away; and conducted a mail shot to 400 employers in the North East, generating over 230 job proposals. An on-site training programme allowed 73 people to gain qualification to drive two or more categories of vehicles.
We are continuing to work with a multi-agency taskforce to develop plans to minimize the impact of the work closures on the local economy. |
