Global Union Network takes Heidelberg Materials to task on worker rights and just transition
The initiative comes on the heels of the ILO Tripartite Technical Meeting on Decent Work and a Just Transition in the Building Materials Industry, held in Geneva in late September. Despite its significance, Heidelberg Materials did not participate, drawing criticism from unions.
ILO recommendations emphasised collective bargaining and workplace cooperation as cornerstones for implementing just transition plans. Governments were urged to link public funding to strict labour rights compliance, including decent work standards across supply chains.
Concerns over financial practices and labour rights
Research by Profundo highlighted worrying trends in Heidelberg Materials' financial and labour policies. The company has shifted acquisitions to focus on sustainability and recycling but has reduced employee costs and full-time employment while increasing shareholder payouts. Automation in key processes has also further displaced workers. Dr. Sigurt Vitols of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) flagged deficiencies in the company’s sustainability reporting under new EU directives. Heidelberg’s 2023 report lacked transparency on living wages and health and safety, raising concerns over compliance with emerging European standards.
Workers’ issues take centre stage
Unions also raised alarm over Heidelberg Materials' treatment of its workforce. Key grievances include:
- Lack of union consultation on restructuring, leading to strikes in countries like Spain.
- Gender inequality and inadequate parental leave policies.
- Health and safety risks, including mental health concerns and precarious employment.
- Failure to adopt comprehensive just transition plans that include workers and unions.
The Network accused the company of sidelining workers in its low-carbon initiatives, using climate goals as a pretext for job cuts and plant closures.
Union leaders demand change
“Heidelberg Materials is introducing new technologies to address the issue of CO2 emissions, without prior consultations with the union which leads to health and safety hazards and occupational safety and health risks, like in France. There are no plans in place for a just transition for workers, neither reports on what the company is doing to ensure a just transition when restructuring and divesting. ”We will make sure that the shareholders of Heidelberg Materials hear the story of the workers and the number of unresolved issues since the management is not willing to listen to us and we must take this campaign for social dialogue to the next level" Ambet Yuson, BWI General secretary said.
Atle Høie, General Secretary of IndustriALL Global Union, stated: “While progress at the recent ILO technical meeting is commendable, companies face mounting challenges with CO2 targets and technological shifts. Industry 4.0 and AI add pressure, with closures looming where investments lag, as seen in Europe and India. Workers are put at risk and must have a place at the table.
“Stronger engagement from national and local unions is crucial and must be combined with international solidarity. By acting together and securing timely information, we can effectively pressure companies and secure a better future for workers.”
Tom Deleu, General Secretary of EFBWW, says “The challenges of the green and digital transition need a strong and serious social dialogue. Workers will be faced with critical changes and they have to be involved in the transformation process from the beginning. A just and fair transition is key to establish a sustainable cement industry.”
Next Steps
The Global Union Network plans to escalate its campaign by addressing Heidelberg Materials’ CEO and presenting its demands at the company’s Annual General Meeting in May 2025. Shareholders will also be informed of unresolved issues, such as safety violations at facilities like the Couvrot plant in France.
The Network remains steadfast in holding Heidelberg Materials accountable, pushing for a fair and inclusive transition that prioritises workers’ rights over shareholder gains.