Tentative agreement at Pantex
October 3, 2015
Knoxville News
A tentative agreement was announced today between the Metal Trades Council and Consolidated Nuclear Security, perhaps setting the stage for the end of a strike by more than 1,100 workers at the Pantex nuclear weapons plant.
Workers at the nation’s warhead assembly/disassembly center have been on strike since late August. The rank and file of the Metal Trades Council, which represents 10 unions at Pantex, will vote Sunday whether to ratify the proposed agreement with CNS — the government’s managing contractor.
According to the announcement from the unions, highlights of the proposed contract include “improved medical coverage with controlled out-of-pocket medical costs and contained premium increases for current and future employees; maintenance of the defined benefit pension plan for current employees; maintained sick leave earnings and bank; and improved short-term disability benefits.”
CNS issued this statement: “After significant effort, Consolidated Nuclear Security and the Metal Trades Council Negotiating Committee have agreed on terms of a collective bargaining agreement which the Committee unanimously recommends be ratified by the membership. CNS sincerely hopes the Metal Trades Council membership ratifies the collective bargaining agreement.”
Metal Trades Council President Clarence Rashada said, “This was a hard fought battle. This strike was never about wages. It was about holding onto hard-won benefits and protecting our member’s future. In this agreement (we) were able to improve several problem areas in the offer that was rejected. It will now go back to our members to vote on. Ultimately, they have the final say.”
Workers at Pantex went on strike Aug. 28 after twice rejecting best-and-final offers from CNS. The two parties had negotiated for about seven months. About 87 percent of the workers reportedly voted to strike.
The unions’ announcement credited the post-strike involvement of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which got the company and the unions back to the bargaining table.
“The proposed agreement is a direct result of those new negotiations,” today’s announcement said.
Ron Ault, president of the Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO, the parent of the Metal Trades Council in Texas, issued a statement that thanked Scot Beckenbaugh, assistant director of the mediation service, who served as mediator in the talks.
“I am very happy that, with the assistance of Federal Mediator Beckenbaugh, the parties were able to come to an fair and equitable agreement that restores the workers hard-earned benefits,” Ault’s statement said.
The agreement also reportedly offers employees annual wage increases of 2 percent.
Allison Beck, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), also issued a statement confirming the tentative agreement.
“These were difficult and stressful negotiations for the employer and union representatives,” she said. “This tentative agreement is the result of many long days and many late nights for both sides. In their discussions, labor and management were faced with complex issues and some very tough choices, which they were dedicated to resolving. Thanks to their efforts, we now have reason to hope normal operations will soon be restored at this vital facility.”
October 3, 2015
Knoxville News
A tentative agreement was announced today between the Metal Trades Council and Consolidated Nuclear Security, perhaps setting the stage for the end of a strike by more than 1,100 workers at the Pantex nuclear weapons plant.
Workers at the nation’s warhead assembly/disassembly center have been on strike since late August. The rank and file of the Metal Trades Council, which represents 10 unions at Pantex, will vote Sunday whether to ratify the proposed agreement with CNS — the government’s managing contractor.
According to the announcement from the unions, highlights of the proposed contract include “improved medical coverage with controlled out-of-pocket medical costs and contained premium increases for current and future employees; maintenance of the defined benefit pension plan for current employees; maintained sick leave earnings and bank; and improved short-term disability benefits.”
CNS issued this statement: “After significant effort, Consolidated Nuclear Security and the Metal Trades Council Negotiating Committee have agreed on terms of a collective bargaining agreement which the Committee unanimously recommends be ratified by the membership. CNS sincerely hopes the Metal Trades Council membership ratifies the collective bargaining agreement.”
Metal Trades Council President Clarence Rashada said, “This was a hard fought battle. This strike was never about wages. It was about holding onto hard-won benefits and protecting our member’s future. In this agreement (we) were able to improve several problem areas in the offer that was rejected. It will now go back to our members to vote on. Ultimately, they have the final say.”
Workers at Pantex went on strike Aug. 28 after twice rejecting best-and-final offers from CNS. The two parties had negotiated for about seven months. About 87 percent of the workers reportedly voted to strike.
The unions’ announcement credited the post-strike involvement of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which got the company and the unions back to the bargaining table.
“The proposed agreement is a direct result of those new negotiations,” today’s announcement said.
Ron Ault, president of the Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO, the parent of the Metal Trades Council in Texas, issued a statement that thanked Scot Beckenbaugh, assistant director of the mediation service, who served as mediator in the talks.
“I am very happy that, with the assistance of Federal Mediator Beckenbaugh, the parties were able to come to an fair and equitable agreement that restores the workers hard-earned benefits,” Ault’s statement said.
The agreement also reportedly offers employees annual wage increases of 2 percent.
Allison Beck, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), also issued a statement confirming the tentative agreement.
“These were difficult and stressful negotiations for the employer and union representatives,” she said. “This tentative agreement is the result of many long days and many late nights for both sides. In their discussions, labor and management were faced with complex issues and some very tough choices, which they were dedicated to resolving. Thanks to their efforts, we now have reason to hope normal operations will soon be restored at this vital facility.”
