A portion of the Savannah River Site’s security personnel with union representation are on the job this week even as nearly 300 of their colleagues remain on strike in the wake of failed labor negotiations.
Of the 337 security employees represented by the United Professional Pro-Force of Savannah River (PPSR), 48 are currently working. That encompasses workers who never went on strike and those who have subsequently returned to work, though a breakdown between the two groups was not immediately available. That leaves 289 workers striking as of Wednesday.
Rob Davis, spokesman for security contractor Centerra-SRS, said employees still striking are not locked out. “There is a defined process for returning, and any employee who wishes to return to work needs to contact his or her Captain, Major or Chief, who will provide instructions,” he told Weapons Complex Morning Briefing by email Wednesday.
UPPSR, which represents nearly half of the 688 employees in the Centerra-SRS workforce, spent much of this year negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the company. On July 19, Centerra submitted a “last, best and final offer,” but the union rejected the deal and began its strike on Aug. 15.
Two weeks in, Davis said the two sides have not yet resumed formal talks. “The Company and union negotiated for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement for 18 weeks, and the proposed CBA was our last, best and final offer. We have had no meetings with union officials and none are currently planned,” he said.
Multiple attempts to reach UPPSR were unsuccessful.
