Strikers Force Standard Concrete to Close 2 Area Plants

TUSTIN — About 50 union drivers and mechanics at Standard Concrete Products shut down two Orange County plants Tuesday during the second day of a strike, and said they will try to halt some of the company’s Los Angeles-area operations today.

Teamsters Local 952 in Orange called the strike Monday against the Tustin company, which has 12 Southern California plants. Standard Concrete acknowledged that work had stopped at its El Toro and Santa Ana plants. The company recently halted work at a Westminster plant, which is used only on an as-needed basis, said Brian Serra, vice president for sales.

Union members contend that the company wants them to take a pay cut of $2.70 an hour. They also said that since they went on strike, the company canceled their medical and dental benefits. They said they will try to close some of the company’s six Los Angeles County plants.

Serra, who wouldn’t discuss strike issues, said the company is being squeezed by a combination of a lagging economy and greater competition. The company has closed two of its three Riverside County branches as well as the Westminster plant.

The company, which employs about 300 workers, is a subsidiary of Calaveras Cement Co. in Walnut Creek. Calaveras makes cement, the main ingredient in the ready-mix concrete that Standard manufactures.