Ritchie, Barclay Praise Agreement Ending Strike

Patty Ritchie

July 27, 2011

Union, Management Reach Agreement For Nine Mile Plants

State Senator Patty Ritchie and Assemblyman Will Barclay praised the members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and Constellation Energy for reaching an agreement that ended a strike at both Nine Mile nuclear energy plants.

The union approved the new contract Tuesday in a 395 to 64 vote.

Senator Ritchie and Assemblyman Barclay met with both the union and management last week to ask both sides to return to the table to resume negotiations.

“The announcement that the strike has ended is welcome news to the families of both the union and management as well as the Greater Oswego community,” Senator Ritchie (R,C-Heuvelton) said. “The Nine Mile plants have enjoyed strong community support for decades, largely because of the outstanding relationship the workers have had with the company. Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief today at this terrific news.”

“I’m happy to hear contract negotiations went well and that both sides have agreed to a new contract,” said Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski). “This is good news. In meeting with Constellation and IBEW local union workers last week, it was clear the main objective was to get back to work. I am pleased the parties were able to come to the table and agree on a rational plan going forward so everyone can go back to work.l”

IBEW 97 went on strike on July 9 at Constellation Energy Nuclear Group’s Nine Mile Point Unit I and Unit II nuclear plant.