March 17, 2014

NO RESOLUTION IN SIGHT FOR KC PLANT STRIKE

By ExchangeMonitor

The strike by approximately 860 production workers at the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Kansas City Plant stretched into a second day yesterday and it does not appear that a resolution is near after officials from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 778 and plant contractor Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies met with a federal mediators without making any progress. As dozens of Kansas City Plant employees picketed outside of the plant’s home at the Bannister Federal Complex, the sides met for approximately three hours yesterday morning with Peggy McNeive, a commissioner at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Union representative Claude Harris told NW&M Monitor afterward that there was “absolutely no” resolution to the standoff. He said Honeywell did not come to the meeting with any new proposals or offers. “My thoughts were that we would get something done today,” Harris said. “But I don’t think they [Honeywell] came today with the intent of resolving this.” He added: “They’re maintaining their position and we’re maintaining ours.”

Honeywell FM&T spokeswoman Linda Cook confirmed that there was no resolution reached at the meeting. “They’ve not yet reached any resolution but we always remain open to any discussions and beyond that there’s not any new news,” Cook said. “We’re hopeful and again we always remain open to continue to discuss the negotiations.”

The 860 machinists and production workers that make up the vast majority of the Kansas City Plant’s production workforce voted to go on strike at midnight Oct. 9. According to union officials, the workers were unhappy with Honeywell proposals that included lower-quality medical benefits, diminished union representation and “significantly” lower wages for new employees. Honeywell has begun using salaried employees to perform production work to prevent a disruption to the plant’s production schedule. NNSA spokesman Josh McConaha said the agency is monitoring the negotiations. “We’re optimistic both sides will be able to find a fair and equitable solution that respects the critical role of the men and women at the Kansas City Plant,” McConaha said in a statement. “We’re also entirely confident that the contingency plans put in place will maintain our rigorous safety or security controls.”

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