Tentative Deal Reached In Pilgrim Labor Dispute

A two-week lockout of unionized workers at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth appears to be nearing an end.

Following a long night of negotiations, plant owner Entergy Corp. and the Utility Workers Union of America on Tuesday morning said the two sides have reached a tentative deal on a new four-year contract.

The union will vote on whether or not to approve the contract on Wednesday. Both sides are refusing to provide details of the agreement until after the vote.

However, UWUA Local 369 President Dan Hurley said in a statement that the deal “has important protections for the hardworking men and women who safely operate this 40-year-old nuclear power plant on a daily basis.”

Pilgrim's vice president, Robert Smith, added in a statement:

We appreciate the hard work of both parties to get to this point and believe this proposal represents fair and equitable terms both for our employees and the company.

The labor contract for about 240 unionized workers at the Pilgrim plant had expired two weeks ago. Plant management then locked out the workers and implemented an emergency staffing plan. Both sides accused the other of compromising public safety.

The stalled negotiations resumed Monday under the supervision of a federal mediator, and both sides said they welcomed the renewed dialogue.

The union, and various elected officials, had planned to protest Entergy's lockout with a State House rally Tuesday, but with the tentative deal the union has cancelled all demonstrations.