utility operator

production supervisor

terminal operator

maintenance electrician

shipping and receiving clerk

CENTRAL PLAINS CEMENT COMPANY

Good pay, fair benefits. Some good lower management, but very questionable upper management and HR personnel. 

You always pull 12 hour shifts, on a rotating schedule. Every 4 to 5 days you switch from night shift to day shift, then back again after another few days. You get more time off than most jobs, but with the constant flip flopping from nights to days, you never get a chance to properly rest, let your body recoup, and adjust properly. Working overnights, after coming off days, is torturous. Constantly fighting to stay awake, all while operating heavy, dangerous equipment and being around automated machinery. This has been an ongoing issue for years with all production employees. Their solution....fully stocked vending machines with sugar, caffeine and energy drinks. You're told not to nap, on break or otherwise, during over nights, if you do, termination. All while the two rotating management personnel on shift take turns napping in a back conference room, or in a company truck somewhere on the large plant property. Some supervisors even live close enough where they occasionally go home during the night, taking their radio in case they are needed. The head production manger who has advanced through the years has been seen sleeping during over nights as a PCS, yet he is the one who enforces the policy the most. 

They have a stern attendance policy which is fine in itself. They enforce it to the maximum. Unless you're management or about to be management then these rules don't apply to you. The HR lady messes up your check enough where you have to constantly check your earnings to make sure you're paid according to the hours you've worked.  When you confront her on it, she gives you negative attitude, and somehow tries to blame you for her mistakes. This has been ongoing for years as well. 

They push safety, safety, safety, but bypass it, if it saves them money. The have been known to manipulate circumstances to keep MSHA happy. They say you're allowed to tag out faulty equipment, that is, unless it halters production, then you're considered a trouble maker.  I can think of four people who have been significantly injured due to unsafe conditions. Somehow they always find fault in the employee, regardless of the conditions surrounding the incident. Eventually they found a "safety" reason to fire all them. If not immediately, then soon after. 

Central Plains Cement sells themselves as a family orientated company, yet it is ran by cooperate greed and driven by managerial bonuses. They allow certain management to bully and manipulate employees. Yet when these staff members show "a lapse in judgement", and/or called out on their unethical actions, they get conveniently transferred to a different position. If you're in the "clique" then you have it made here. All this is just the tip of the iceberg. This review is meant to help hold them accountable for their greed and unlawful actions to their employees. Perhaps bringing in management who really cares and want the best for everyone, vs just their pocketbooks.

Cement plant shift work is fairly difficult with constant changing from days to nights.  The plant production schedule is best it can be because we get as much as off between shifts, however shift work is shift work.  Work culture is good depending on which shift you work on.  Most shifts have a good attitude but there are some shifts that have constant complainers which really drags the crew down.  There are a couple of bad apples in the bunch and if I get assigned to work with them, I would rather quit.  There is one crew that nobody wants to be on because the negative energy is so bad.  There have been some people on their crew that they have actually quit because they bring out the worst in people.

Overall the pay is great and when safety concerns are brought up they generally get taken care of.  I do feel as an equipment operator that when I feel that a piece of equipment is unsafe and I tag it out I am supported by my supervisors.  The supervisor will some times seem like he is challenging me on why I tagged it out, but I tend to think they are just trying to understand why if it is not apparent.  The supervisor's know that if they ask me to do something unsafe that they are going to get into trouble for violating the law.

There is one PA2 running around that is a complete nightmare of a person.  He thinks that he knows everything and that he is a good employee, but he is far from that.  When you join the production team avoid him at all costs, he will try to convert you into being an evil person.

Central plains preach a culture of safety before cement but dont actually adhere to the standards they set forth. Several members of management including the safety coordinator were making jokes and laughing at people that were seriously injured on the job. They dont reprimand employees that are truly a danger to themselves or others around them. Dont tell them about any health issues you may have because they will use it against you for termination. The work culture at central plains is one of the most toxic Ive ever encountered. Most of the employees I had met said to keep looking for a job because its not worth it to stay there. They have frozen all pensions, and you lose your healthcare coverage the day you retire. There is no future there. Most people that have been there for years are miserable, but its all they have done so they feel stuck.  Youre looked at as nothing but a number and a back they can break. 

Horrible work life balance. Plant Management does not have any 5 yr outlook or long term plan to improve the facility. Does not listen to those below him, very much a my way or highway philosophy. Pays really well for salary side, however they get every hour out of you. 12-16 hour days 5-6 days a week. Constantly repairing the same thing over and over due to lack of long term plan mentioned above. Would not recommend

A good job to have you make good money and alot of overtime. The downside is the management/company does not care about employees. Employees are always last on the list and production and dollar signs is all they care about. I love my job and the money I have earned while there.

Good pay, advancement if you can work rotating shifts and some weekends. Management looks at you as a number not a person. They have a strict attendance policy that you have to follow to a to the letter. You get three sick days a year  if you bring in a doctored note that states a corroborating reason for missing work.

You can make good money here if you are able to put up with all the drama.  Lots of people complain about the management in their reviews but the main problem is your fellow union coworkers at this place.  Everybody is always trying to undercut each other and won’t mind their own business.  I would only recommend working here if you are wanting to work 60-100 hrs a week.  And even still there are places with less drama that pay better.

One could stay busy every day, you can learn something almost every day, maintenance generally worked well as a team, as for management they were all about themselves and judge others as beneath them. People pretended to care but really just watch their actions. It was a Great job

The management is horrible,  the quarry supervisor is the most  incompetent person alive, brings home problems to work wife cheated on him and he would take it out on employees . pay is good but your always worrying about your job. The old union president was in with the staff but may have changed by now Meow

Working at Central Plains was not that bad. I enjoyed the pay and the good people I worked with. There's a lot of material leeks and buildup so there's always something to do. You have to be conscious and aware of the safety hazards though. Many factors can be harmful. They don't expect you to work real hard though. Make an effort and stay safe.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Utility operator 9 salaries reported	$28.46 per hour
Production supervisor 2 salaries reported	$108,250 per year
Terminal operator 1 salary reported	$23.50 per hour
Maintenance electrician 7 salaries reported	$32.27 per hour
Shipping and receiving clerk 2 salaries reported	$23.79 per hour

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