BRAINTREE, Mass., June 9, 2102 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Members of the Utility Workers Union of America Local 369 have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Louisiana-based Entergy Corp. in response to the company's actions toward workers at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant.
The complaint includes five specific charges, including those that Entergy employed security forces are video and audio taping picketing workers outside of Pilgrim. Massachusetts has a strict "two-party consent" law that makes secret video recording without the consent of all parties a crime when sound is captured.
In addition, the complaint charges that Entergy management personnel made a series of "coercive, threatening statements" to workers prior to last week's contract vote.
"Entergy's complete and utter disregard for the safety and wellbeing of Massachusetts workers and communities has been well documented, and this NLRB complaint exemplifies how the company chooses to do business," said Dan Hurley, president of UWUA Local 369. "Rather than head back to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith, Entergy makes coercive statements and attempts to intimidate the workers who safely run Pilgrim Nuclear. It's disgusting that Entergy CEO Wayne Leonard and Chief Nuclear Officer John Herron have made hundreds of millions of dollars over the past several years and yet company executives lock out workers who not only have young children and bills to pay, but who keep our communities safe."
The NLRB complaint also includes three additional charges against Entergy, including charges that:
- Entergy has failed to provided necessary and relevant information in response to various information requests
- Entergy has unilaterally changed the shift rotations of UWUA Local 369 workers without first providing notice and the opportunity to bargain in good faith
- Entergy has unilaterally changed the retirement and health insurance benefits of workers
Entergy locked out nearly 250 experienced workers last Tuesday evening at midnight following the expiration of UWUA Local 369's contract. Workers had spent nearly two months negotiating with Entergy over key healthcare, safety and staffing issues before the company walked out of negotiations last week.
"Make no mistake, Entergy left the bargaining table last week and made the irresponsible and reckless decision to lock out the experienced workers who keep the plant and the communities that surround it safe," said Hurley. "We're grateful for the tremendous support we've received over the past few days from our elected officials, local communities, business and community leaders, other labor unions and the general public. We remain committed to keeping our communities safe and hope that Entergy will return to the bargaining table."
Entergy makes nearly $1 million a day from Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant, and the company recently received a 20-year license renewal.
"There is only one reason why we aren't at the bargaining table right now and that is Entergy," said Hurley. "Our workers remain ready and willing to continue their vitally important work of safely running Pilgrim Nuclear. The greed of Entergy executives should not come at the expense of the safety of Massachusetts communities. It's time for Entergy to return to the bargaining table and let these hardworking men and women do their jobs."
Entergy operates or manages ten nuclear power plants around the nation, including those in Michigan, Vermont, Arkansas and Mississippi.
SOURCE Utility Workers Union of America Local 369
