Some Union Workers Given 'Paid Day Off' by Entergy as a Deal Looms

A day after a federal mediator has been called in to broker a deal between union workers at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station and Entergy Corp, several non-essential employees have been given the day off by Entergy.

According to Boston.com, "dozens of workers have been locked out of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth as the plant’s owner, Entergy Corp., is barring all non-essential employees from the facility, a union representing many of the workers said Wednesday."

According to Pilgrim spokesman Carol Wightman, the employees are not locked out. Rather, some employees were given a paid day off while the company "works through some issues." Not surprisingly, UWUA Local 369 President Dan Hurley sees it differently. "'Essential' workers were allowed inside, while others were denied entry, he said. "It's a nuclear power plant, how can you say some people are non-essential?" he asked the Manomet Current.

The union's contract with the plant expired Tuesday, amidst stalled contract negotiations over health care, safety, and staffing issues.

Tuesday a federal mediator arrived at the talks taking place at the Radisson Plymouth Hotel to negotiate the sticking points.

"Right now, it doesn't look too good to be honest with you. We have a huge roadblock here," Hurley told the Statehouse News Service Monday.

Last Thursday, workers at Pilgrim called on Gov. Deval Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley and other state officials to explore the issues at the center of their contract talks with Entergy Corp.

"Contract negotiations continued throughout the night and into the morning, but an agreement has yet to be reached," an Entergy spokesman told the Globe, "who added that the union declined its request for a contract extension. According to Entergy, the union has stated that it reserves the right to strike at any time, and Entergy claims that this position is unacceptable."

The union, according to the press release, has told Entergy it would take the company’s latest proposal to membership for a vote, but did not specify when.

There is a membership meeting May 20 in Braintree, according to the union's website.

In related news, the union has also voted to authorize an employee strike at NSTAR in the event an agreement cannot be reached with the energy transmitter by June 1.

"Our members have spoken loud and clear by voting 98% in favor of authorizing negotiators to strike", Hurley said in a press release.

Both sides are far apart, however we are still talking and hope we can hammer out an agreement, he said. Negotiations are scheduled for the week of May 13.