Bermuda Cement Company (BCC) workers downed tools yesterday because of job insecurity in the wake of what they see as a hostile take-over by the West End Development Company (Wedco).

And the strike has brought the Island?s cement supply to a standstill which could cripple the Island?s booming construction industry unless cement is imported from abroad.

BCC plant manager Clive Hook wanted to meet with Wedco Chairman, Lt. Col. David Burch, to discuss his future employment when BCC is taken over on January 1 by the Government quango and international giant Cemex.

BCC president Jim Butterfield announced on September 1 that BCC was shutting down on December 31 after being ?driven out by Wedco?.

Then on September 27, Lt. Col. Burch announced there would be no shortage of cement as Wedco and Cemex had agreed to operate the Dockyard silos until a long-term operator was found.

But in a letter sent to Lt. Col. Burch last Tuesday, October 4, Mr. Hook said he had no interest in working for a new owner and that the ?powers that be? were insistent about moving ahead with the take-over.

?The five of us here live each day now in absolute uncertainty as to our future, with sleepless days and restless nights,? Mr. Hook said.

Mr. Hook?s letter also said he had twice tried to contact Lt. Col. Burch, but to no avail.

?We have, as a group, decided that, if we do not meet with you by Friday October 7, this facility will be closed to the public on Monday, October 10 until such time as we do meet,? Mr. Hook wrote.

?In no way are we being influenced by the present ownership. We feel it only fair, at this late date, that we be given some indication of our future employment or unemployment.?

Two days later, on Thursday, October 6, Lt. Col. Burch replied saying he found the letter confusing but he was certain Mr. Hook did not want to keep his job.

?It is therefore unclear exactly what your intentions are either to terminate your services at December 31, 2005, which if correct, hence there would be no need to meet with you or to meet and explore future employment options,? Lt. Col. Burch wrote.

He went on to say that he intended to approach the staff but he could not until Mr. Butterfield agreed to it as it would be illegal.

He said Wedco was working as fast as it could to finalise the take-over but a meeting would not take place until those take-over arrangements were completed.

?If as you indicated (threaten) that unless you meet by Friday, October 7, then it is your intention to ?close the plant from October 10 until such time as we do meet? is a matter for you and BCC, not Wedco,? Lt. Col. Burch said.

A copy of the letter was also forwarded to Works and Engineering and Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent and Mr. Morrison.

A final letter, written last Friday, October 7 by Mr. Hook apologised for confusing the Wedco boss.

?I know for a fact that the present ownership has given the okay for this to happen,? Mr. Hook wrote.

Yesterday, Mr. Hook said he still had not been contacted by Wedco.

?What?s happening is the million dollar question,? he said yesterday. ?We are at the end of our rope.?

The plant manager said the plant would be shut down for as long as it took until he met with Lt. Col. Burch.

His workers were sent home early yesterday, and he repeated that Mr. Butterfield?s lawyers had also told Wedco it was free to negotiate with BCC staff.

Firing back yesterday, the Wedco boss said the quango did not respond well to blackmail and called the closure of the plant unnecessary. He said the BCC plant workers were guaranteed employment until December 31 but indicated their strike hurt their chances of future employment.

?Let me say at the outset that the current industrial action occurring at the cement facility on Dockyard is a matter for the Bermuda Cement Company and its employees,? Lt.Col. Burch said.

?Further, neither I nor the Board of the West End Development Corporation responds very well to blackmail or threats.

?At the appropriate time Wedco will approach those employees regarding possible future employment. As such I would suggest that their current conduct, while employees of BCC, does little to assist their prospects of future employment elsewhere.?

Lt. Col. Burch said the strikers had used guerrilla tactics and he had refused to meet with them because he was not about to start a working relationship where potential employees issued ultimatums.

He said an approach to staff would be made on his terms and conditions and not be subject to any public pressure so it could be conducted in a ?proper and methodical? way.

But soon after the cement supply dried up yesterday, SAL CEO Bill Morrison said he was totally sold out of bagged cement.

And SAL?s supply of bulk cement, for use in ready-mix concrete or concrete block manufacture, would run out soon, Mr. Morrison said.

?We still have some in stock for ready-mix and block for tomorrow but by Wednesday it will all come to a stop,? he said yesterday.