With a lockout threat looming and a little more than a day left to negotiate, NextEra Energy and a union representing about a third of employees at the Seabrook nuclear plant announced a likely labor agreement on Sunday.
The utility and the Utility Workers Union of America Local 555 had been in contract negotiations since September. WCSH News reported negotiations had stalled on a company proposal to eliminate fire brigade positions and a plan to use reworked scheduling to cut weekend overtime at the New Hampshire plant. Negotiators faced a deadline at midnight tonight to reach a deal, after which NextEra said it would lock out the affected workers. The union represents 226 of the plant's 650 positions.
The union president told the Associated Press the agreement reached Sunday would preserve the five fire brigade leadership positions and raise wages 2.25 percent annually for three years. If the contract is approved by the union's membership, the deal also gives the parties until the end of next year to reach an agreement on scheduling.