Post by newsfeeder on Jul 14, 2006 7:44:36 GMT -5
Union workers at the Nine Mile Point nuclear plants have ratified a five-year contract with owner Constellation Energy that provides annual wage increases of 3 percent plus incentive compensation bonuses of up to 2 percent.
In return, employees will pay more for health insurance, and new hires will no longer receive pension medical benefits, union officials said.
"It's a fair agreement," said Martin Currier, vice president of Local 97 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents more than 600 workers at the nuclear facility.
"It's a win-win for all concerned," said Tim O'Connor, vice president of Nine Mile Point.
Workers voted 375-143 to approve the contract.
In addition to wage increases, the deal improves cash balance pension plan benefits and enhances 401(k) benefits, Currier said.
Employee contributions to health insurance will increase while benefits remain level, Currier said.
Negotiations with Constellation Energy began in May. This is the first contract worked out between Local 97 and Constellation, which does not have a union at its nuclear facilities in Maryland and Rochester.
"It was a very tough set of negotiations," Currier said.
Union and management negotiators reached a tentative agreement June 23, a week before the previous contract was to expire.
The two sides agreed to extend the previous contract until July 21 to allow workers to vote after the Independence Day holiday.
Workers voted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Constellation spokesman Dave Joslin said negotiations were not confrontational. He said the feedback he heard was, "Let's create a scenario where we can have lasting success here."
Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 employ about 1,200 people, produce more than 1,500 megawatts of electricity and pay about $6 million a year in payments in lieu of taxes.
from www.syracuse.com
In return, employees will pay more for health insurance, and new hires will no longer receive pension medical benefits, union officials said.
"It's a fair agreement," said Martin Currier, vice president of Local 97 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents more than 600 workers at the nuclear facility.
"It's a win-win for all concerned," said Tim O'Connor, vice president of Nine Mile Point.
Workers voted 375-143 to approve the contract.
In addition to wage increases, the deal improves cash balance pension plan benefits and enhances 401(k) benefits, Currier said.
Employee contributions to health insurance will increase while benefits remain level, Currier said.
Negotiations with Constellation Energy began in May. This is the first contract worked out between Local 97 and Constellation, which does not have a union at its nuclear facilities in Maryland and Rochester.
"It was a very tough set of negotiations," Currier said.
Union and management negotiators reached a tentative agreement June 23, a week before the previous contract was to expire.
The two sides agreed to extend the previous contract until July 21 to allow workers to vote after the Independence Day holiday.
Workers voted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Constellation spokesman Dave Joslin said negotiations were not confrontational. He said the feedback he heard was, "Let's create a scenario where we can have lasting success here."
Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 employ about 1,200 people, produce more than 1,500 megawatts of electricity and pay about $6 million a year in payments in lieu of taxes.
from www.syracuse.com