Pantex union workers are eyeing a possible Pantex Plant strike over medical, sick leave and other benefits, but union officials remain in negotiations with contractor Consolidated Nuclear Security. Clarence Rashada, president of the Metal Trades Council, said the council, a 10-union coalition that represents roughly 1,200 Pantex workers, held a weekend rally to inform its workers of a possible strike if a five-year pact isn’t reached with Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC. Rashada said the union already is already pursuing ways to obtain health insurance for its members if they vote to strike against CNS. Union members, he said, are concerned about having to bear increasing costs for prescription drugs. “If we go out on strike, the reason that we would is the benefits,” Rashada said, citing cuts in benefits to Pantex workers who are not members of the union. “It’s sick leave, medical benefits and prescription drugs. … If we’ve got to pay a little higher co-pay and a little higher premium, that’s negotiable.”
The union, he said, is still awaiting a best and final offer from CNS to present to Metal Trades Council workers, who would have to ratify a proposal. “If they don’t change their tune on the medical, sick leave and the prescription drugs, yes, the people made it very clear they are not going to go for that,” Rashada said of the likelihood that union members would strike.
Consolidated Nuclear Security issued a statement Monday that said negotiations have been progressing since they began January 21, but that it will not release details of its proposal until union members have received it. “Consolidated Nuclear Security Pantex is working with the Metal Trades Council negotiating team to develop a fair and reasonable contract for represented employees,” CNS spokesman Jason Bohne said. “… CNS Pantex is hopeful that the negotiations will come to a positive conclusion with a ratification vote for the proposed contract. CNS Pantex believes it is important for the MTC leadership to present information about the proposed contract to its members. Therefore, CNS Pantex will not provide proposal details to the media until after MTC members have been informed and voted.”