IBEW Local 97 (Syracuse, NY) Fights for Members' jobs against Utility Giant Constellation Energy

From the Oswego Palladium Times

CONSTELLATION: LAYOFFS NEEDED TO STAY COMPETITIVE
By SEAN TREACY, Staff Writer

SCRIBA - Constellation Energy's recent 51 layoffs are not a sign that its two nuclear plants will be abandoned, according to a company representative.

Constellation spokesperson Jill Lyon said the site would not shut down. She pointed out that Constellation has filed to extend its 40-year operating licenses by 20 years, which she said demonstrates a "desire to stay" in Scriba.

According to officials, Constellation Energy has cut 51 jobs at Nine Mile One and Two nuclear plants and plans to eliminate more. All the positions removed so far are non-union.

"We have had layoffs in order to remain competitive and ensure the viability of our nuclear station," Lyon said.

She said there have been 85 "involuntary reductions" at Nine Mile Point and Maryland's Calvert Cliff combined. She said 150 jobs have been cut when including positions removed by attrition.

"All the employees impacted received severance benefits, including two weeks notice, severance pay, out placement service and employee assistance benefits," Lyon said.

Non-negotiable

Dave Falletta, the President Business Manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 97 union, said attempts to negotiate the layoffs with Constellation were met with a "slammed door."

"On this point Constellation Nuclear did not want to discuss anything in terms of trying to stop the layoffs," Falletta said. "It's a numbers game, and they want those layoffs."

IBEW wanted stop the loss of at least 24 jobs, said Falletta. He called it "incredulous" that they "could possibly think they could layoff 24 people" while at "peak work."

"It was across departments, so there weren't any specific category of positions," said Lyon. "These are difficult decisions we have to make and we understand the impact on the people."

Falletta said by comparison IBEW has managed to negotiate with electrical giant Niagara Mohawk in the area. Niagara Mohawk wanted to layoff 120 jobs, he said, but a huge majority of those job losses were stopped by negotiations.

Constellation acquired the Nine Mile Point nuclear plants in 2001 from Niagara Mohawk, which employed 1,330 people at the facilities.

In trying to stop some of Constellation's layoffs Falletta said he "even asked them for a wish list, which is not normal."

"They haven't had much layoffs in the nuclear plants," said Falletta. "We were hoping they would be patient enough to do it by attrition. Our reaction is dismay."

Constellation has spent more than $50 million to upgrade the plants. The company also recently acquired the R.E. Ginna nuclear plant near Rochester. Its two nuclear plants in Scriba share the site with the James A. FitzPatrick nuclear power plant, which is owned by Entergy Nuclear.