Amid Stalled Negotiations, Some Pilgrim Nuclear Plant Workers Sent Home

With contract talks stalled, workers picketed Plymouth’s Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Wednesday after the plant’s owner sent home half of the plant’s employees.

As our Newscast unit just reported:

Union President Dan Hurley said he agreed to hold a vote on the final contract offer from Pilgrim's owner, Entergy Corp., but then early Wednesday, "non-essential" employees were not allowed into the plant.

"Some very serious and sensitive pieces of equipment there," Hurley said. "Our position is that every single person in that plant is essential. I don't care who they are."

In a statement, an Entergy spokeswoman said it has contingency plans to ensure plant safety.

As the Patriot Ledger reports:

The previous contract expired May 15. The union voted to authorize a strike May 4.

Benefits and staffing are among the issues that have been sticking points in the negotiations.

Entergy's spokeswoman added in the statement:

The company requested an extension to the current contract to allow additional time for discussions and the union declined. In fact, the union stated that it reserves the right to strike at any time, day or night, and Entergy management advised the union that this is unacceptable.