The Metal Trades Department Executive Council has reached out to Dr. Steven Chu, Secretary, US Department of Energy, asking Dr. Chu to step in on behalf of workers at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. The Department expressed its concern that a pending consolidation of the operational contracts threatens the wages, benefits, health care and retirement plans for the workers at each of the sites and jeopardize the work of both facilities. There is no reference within the NNSA proposal to consolidate for transitioning these skilled and experienced workers when the contractors are changed. It has been customary since these facilities began operations that the workforce carries over. The MTD is seeking the Secretary’s help in directing the The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to amend their current Request for Proposal (RFP) so that it maintains wage rates and benefits in collective bargaining agreements in effect at the two facilities
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is seeking to consolidate the operations and management of the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. The Metal Trades Councils—the Atomic Trades & Labor Council at Y-12 and the Metal Trades Council of Amarillo, Texas and Vicinity at Pantex—represent employees who work under five year contracts between the NNSA and private contractors. Although the contractors change every five years most of the employees do not, some having been at the facilities for decades. Most hold the highest security clearance levels.
The effects of the NNSA’s actions will have economic impact for employees, their families and their communities, not to mention the security of the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
You can view the letter by clicking on the attachment below.
DOE Pantex Consolidation (pdf)