The labor group representing some 1,450 workers at the Department of Energy’s Y-12 National Security Complex last week struck a new five-year labor deal with the Tennessee site’s Bechtel National-led manager.
Members of the Atomic Trades and Labor Council (ATLC), an umbrella organization representing upward of 20 unions, ratified the agreement June 18. The previous labor agreement was to expire this week. The contract covers wages and benefits for electricians, machinists, pipefitters, material clerks, janitors, and laborers.
A spokesperson for Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), the National Nuclear Security Administration’s prime contractor for both Y-12 and the Pantex Plant in Texas, said “management is pleased discussions between the two parties have resulted in a new labor agreement and recognizes the ATLC membership’s important contributions to Y-12 and national security.”
The sides did not release the details of the new agreement.
The new labor deal was announced a little more than a year after the Amarillo Metal Trade Council settled on a new five-year contract for workers at the Pantex Plant. That February 2019 deal covered roughly 1,200 employees at the NNSA’s main nuclear weapons service center.
The National Nuclear Security Administration this week declined to pick up any more options on CNS’ contract, meaning the team will only be on site at Y-12 and Pantex through September 30, 2021. The NNSA has not said when it will begin competition for a follow-on contract, or contracts, for the sites. However, the agency said it saw benefits in managing the two facilities under a single contract.
Y-12 makes the uranium-fueled secondary stages of nuclear weapons. Under contract to CNS, Bechtel National is building the Uranium Processing Facility at the site. The multi-building facility is scheduled to take over secondary stage manufacturing and associated functions from the aging Building 9212 later this decade.
