Lawrence Livermore lab workers threaten strike over wages, safety concerns

Lawrence Livermore lab workers threaten strike over wages, safety concerns

San Jose Mercury News
by Jeremy Thomas - 10/29/14

LIVERMORE -- The union representing more than 200 electricians, plumbers and other skilled trades workers at Lawrence Livermore Lab is threatening to strike over what they're calling unfair labor practices, safety concerns and wage fraud by lab management.

After more than a year of negotiating a new contract, members of the workers' union say they plan to picket the lab Thursday to demand fair pay and protest against "grossly inadequate maintenance procedures" they say endanger the community.

Substantial workforce cuts, union representatives claim, have left employees unable to perform routine repairs on equipment and items like boilers and rolling doors, leading to system failures, idling facilities, and an increased possibility of a "catastrophic incident."

"They're deferring a lot of maintenance that's not being done," said Steve Balke, an electrician and assistant lead bargainer for the Society of Professionals, Scientists, and Engineers (SPSE). "There are safety issues that could become hazardous to the public."

Lab spokeswoman Lynda Seaver responded to the charge, saying workplace safety remains a top priority of the lab, and -- despite the union's contention -- there is no safety risk from existing maintenance procedures.

"It has been a long-standing practice that any employee who feels the lab is not operating safely has the right to pause or stop work to address safety concerns," Seaver said. "The lab is doing nothing to usurp safety here."

The workers have been without a contract since January and have been in negotiations with lab management since June 2013.

Besides safety issues, union representatives contend some workers also have not received prevailing wages for certain preventative maintenance jobs, resulting in the employees losing out on as much as $10 per hour. They're asking for an 8 percent raise to match what it says contractors working alongside them are making.

While declining to address the union's wage demands due to the ongoing talks, Seaver said the Department of Labor has made no determination regarding the lab's wage practices. The lab has never turned down a request to bargain, she said, and union leadership has repeatedly rejected introducing a federal mediator.
"We're ready to go back to the bargaining table whenever they are," Seaver said, adding that the next session is scheduled for Nov. 5.

The SPSE expects about 100 people to attend Thursday's demonstration. Union leaders said about half of members currently support a strike, which would be the first for the chapter.
"We're hoping with this action that it will show we're serious about it and the lab needs to start bargaining," said Bill Smith, president-elect of the union. "It's important for the entire lab that we get on top of the safety and maintenance issues."

The lab, Seaver said, has a contingency plan in place in the event of a strike.


http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_26824787/lawrence-livermore-lab-workers-threaten-strike-over-wages