Seabrook Nuclear Plant Owner, Union Reach Contract Deal

SEABROOK, N.H. (AP) — The owner of the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant and the union representing 226 workers reached a contract agreement Sunday to avert a lockout.

The agreement came hours before the plant had threatened to lock out the workers at midnight Monday. Ted Jenis, president of Utility Workers Union of America Local 555, said members will vote on the agreement Thursday.

The agreement includes 2.25 percent raises each year for three years, Jenis said, and the company agreed not to eliminate its five fire brigade leaders. Those two issues, along with scheduling, were the sticking points in the negotiations, Jenis said.

"We are pleased to have reached a fair agreement that balances the needs of our employees with the realities of today's economic environment," said Alan Griffith, a spokesman for the plant, which is owned by NextEra Energy.

"This agreement helps to ensure that Seabrook Station and its highly skilled workforce will continue to play an important role in clean energy generation and the region's economy for years to come."

Jenis said the agreement gives the union and plant until the end of 2014 to come to an agreement on changes that Seabrook Station wants to make on employee scheduling.

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