Lab Union Threatens Strike Over Wages, Benefits, Safety Issues
NS&D Monitor
11/7/2014
Union trades workers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are threatening to go on strike over concerns about low wages, benefits and safety issues at the lab, according to one of the union’s top negotiator. Approximately 100 people attended an Oct. 30 demonstration at the lab as the union ratcheted up pressure on the lab to address its concerns. “Hopefully we got a message across to them that we are here to stay, that we want a safe workplace,” said Steve Balke, who is an electrician at the lab and serves as the assistant lead negotiator for the Society of Professionals, Scientists, and Engineers—University of Professional & Technical Employees Local 11.
Balke, however, declined to say whether there was support among union membership for a strike. “I could not answer that honestly,” he said. “Not without us going through our proper steps.” The union represents approximately 185 electricians, plumbers, and maintenance workers at the lab. There’s never been a strike at the lab, but Balke said working conditions at the lab have deteriorated since a team led by Bechtel and the University of California took over management of the lab in 2007.
Official Describes ‘Fear’ of Raising Safety Issues
Balke said the union is asking for an 11 percent increase in wages to bring its workers up to par with subcontractors that work alongside union workers, as well as the right to negotiate contributions into the lab pension plan. He also said the union wanted the lab to stop deferring maintenance in facilities around the institution, which has led to an uptick in near-misses. He said a roll-up door nearly injured a worker because maintenance hadn’t been completed on the door, and a boiler was only replaced until regulators required it. “They will tell you they have a policy that we can call any time we feel it’s unsafe, that we can stop work, but there is a little bit of fear among a number of people to do that,” Balke said.
The union’s collective bargaining agreement expired Jan. 1, 2014; lab and union officials have been in negotiations since June of 2013 on a new deal, Balke said. There was another negotiating session Nov. 5 did not lead to any breakthroughs, he said. “They have not budged on anything,” he said.
Lab: No Safety Risk Due to Maintenance Procedures
Lab spokeswoman Lynda Seaver said the lab has always negotiated in good faith and has been rebuffed by the union in attempts to have a federal mediator brought into the negotiations. “Despite what the union charges, there is no safety risk due to its maintenance procedures of various equipment,” Seaver said. “The Lab strives to work in accordance with all safety regulations, and when a concern is identified, management works to address the issues and effectively manage risk in order to provide a safe and healthy work environment. Safety of the workforce always has been the highest priority of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. It has been a long-standing practice that any employee who feels the Lab is not operating safely has the right to pause or stop work to address safety concerns.”
