2nd Mediation Session Coming As Nuke Plant Lockout Looms

"The hope is there will be some breakthrough on Sunday," said Griffith. "So, maybe the mediator is going to be able to make some progress, and we remain hopeful."

The lack of a new collective bargaining agreement affects 226 Utility Workers of America Local 555 members at Seabrook Station. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has said it expects a strike Tuesday if a deal isn't reached.

Griffith said a change to a rotational weekend work schedule for 40 of the members, wages, and the elimination of six fire brigade leader positions — but not the elimination of employees — are the major sticking points in the negotiations thus far.

The work schedule changes are proposed as a way to ensure Seabrook Station has maintenance and other staff on hand on the weekends to oversee operations and repairs at the plant.

Griffith said the employees would still work five eight-hour shifts each week, although he understands union officials' reluctance to agree to the change because he would "have a problem" with being told to work some of his shifts on the weekend if he were in the position of these 9-to-5, Monday-through-Friday employees.

The union is seeking a 2.75 percent increase in wages as part of the new CBA, while NextEra has countered with 2.25 percent, according to Griffith. 

The fire brigade changes follow models used by other power plants, and Griffith said individuals currently serving in the six leader positions affected will be phased out of those positions into new jobs over the course of two years. The employees will "given priority" as they are asked during that timeframe to find another position within the company, according to Griffith.


Patch will have additional stories and information about the contract and negotiations.