CNS, Metal Trades Council Begin Negotiations on New Bargaining Agreement
NS&D Monitor
1/23/2015
Y-12/Pantex contractor Consolidated Nuclear Security began negotiating a new labor agreement this week with the Metal Trades Council, the union representing Pantex Plant workers. George Rangel, a spokesman for Consolidated Nuclear Security, said the contractor won’t discuss pending issues that will come up in negotiations with the Metal Trades Council over the five-year contract, but said the government’s contract with the union expires at midnight on Feb. 16.
The Metal Trades Council is the sole bargaining agent for local unions that represent about 1,100 workers at Pantex, which employs about 3,000 employees. MTC President Clarence Rashada declined to comment on the negotiations this week. Typically, if negotiations reach an impasse, a federal mediator is brought in to help avert a strike. The last time workers with the Metal Trades Council engaged in a labor strike at Pantex was in the 1970s when workers were on strike for 26 days before a pact was reached. The union last approved a contract with then-Pantex Contractor B&W Pantex in 2008 when workers received a raise, improved medical benefits for retirees and a bonus in their 401K plans.
The Metal Trades Council, chartered in 1951, has represented Pantex’s production and maintenance workers and maintenance employees for decades and has added radiation technicians to the council, according to information from the council’s website. Union stewards are elected by their peers. Officers and negotiation team members are elected from a pool of delegates. Each local union has, at a minimum, two votes to cast in elections or roll call votes.
