Pantex Workers, CNS Reach Labor Agreement

An agreement has been reached between Pantex Plant contractor Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) and the union representing the plant’s workers, CNS announced yesterday. More than 1,000 employees at the nuclear weapon assembly and disassembly plant went on strike when their collective bargaining agreement expired at the end of August, rejecting the reduction of employee benefits in CNS’ final contract offer. Following a temporary pause in negotiations at the end of September, CNS said a new 4-year labor agreement has been ratified and that the contractor "looks forward to all employees represented by Metal Trades Council returning to work on Oct. 5." National Nuclear Security Administration administrator Frank Klotz said in a statement, "Everyone worked very hard to reach the new collective bargaining agreement that was ratified by MTC members on Sunday. We are especially thankful to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for its help in facilitating these negotiations. We are pleased that Pantex will return to normal operations soon."