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2807 County Rd 75 NE # 1 Monticello MN 55362, Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance, Collective Bargaining Rights, Contract talks break down at Xcel Energy facility, G4S, G4S Employer Lockout, G4S Locks Out Its Nuclear Security Lieutenants at Xcel Energy Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, G4S security solutions, Labor Day, Monticello Nuclear Security Officers, National Union of Nuclear Security Officers NUNSO, negotiate in good faith, Nuclear Security, Nuclear Security lieutenants, Nuclear Security Lockout, Nuclear Security Officers, Nuclear Security Officers Union, NUNSO Organizing Director Steve Maritas, Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant, The History of Labor Day, Union for Nuclear Security Officers, Union guards could be locked out at Xcel's Monticello nuclear plant, Union Lockout, Union Negotiations, Union President Joshua Haider, Union Strike, United Security Professionals Local 2, United Security Professionals Local 2 President Joshua Haider, UPDATE: UNION SECURITY WORKERS LOCKED OUT OF THEIR JOBS AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, Xcel Blamed For Cost Overruns At Monticello Plant, Xcel Energy Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant
Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894.
While we celebrate Labor Day 2019, Nuclear Security lieutenants with the United Security Professionals Local 2 Union working at Xcel Energy Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant have been locked out of their jobs as of Midnight on August 31st.
Monticello, MN – Nuclear Security lieutenants with the United Security Professionals Local 2 Union working at Xcel Energy Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant have been locked out of their jobs as of Midnight on august 31st.
G4S security solutions the company that has been contracted to provide the security services for Xcel Energy Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, told them they have reached an impasse in contract negotiations with the union and have no interest in coming back to the bargaining table.
The main sticking point is a change to their health benefits package. The union says they want to work out an agreement, but according to workers there, G4S is refusing to come back to the table.
Union President Joshua Haider stated they were allowed to clock in for their shift at 5:30 p.m. but they will be locked out starting at midnight.
The unions say’s they sent G4S a last minute Either or” proposal which included.
Option A was the nuclear officers would take the new Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance, but with raises to cancel out the insurance loss.
G4S wants to switch to the new Blue Cross Blue Shield package and cut their contributions by half, which is around $10 thousand dollars for each worker every year.
Option B was nuclear officers keeping the current insurance coverage but with less of a raise.
Haider says G4S called their proposals unreasonable and rejected both proposals.
A source with the union stated that when G4S took over in the spring of 2018, the company allegedly told union members both verbally and in writing they would not make any changes to their health insurance.
This source said when the two sides went to the bargaining table, health insurance was the first thing G4S mentioned they were going to change. The source says G4S told them to make up for the cost changes, they were willing to give union members a half a percent over the cost of living raise, but the union says it’s not about the money.
We are told G4S is looking to switch the union over to Blue Cross Blue Shield and workers are very worried about the dispute between Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Minnesota Hospital Association.
Workers say with BCBS denying or delaying coverage for medically necessary care, they and their families are being put at risk.
Replacement workers have been brought in. Some of the workers are from the Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant near Red Wing. Others, sources say are from out of state.
United Security Professionals Local 2 is made up of roughly 25 highly trained Nuclear Security lieutenants who supply heavy armed security to the Monticello Nuclear Power Plant. They are trained in anti-terrorism tactics, and they worry the plant will be vulnerable.
National Union of Nuclear Security Officers NUNSO, Organizing Director Steve Maritas stated this is union-busting at its best. G4S is making an example out of these officers to set the stage for its upcoming negotiations with the 75 nuclear officers who make up the rest of the security force.
NUNSO, LEOSU will do whatever we have to do to assist our brothers and sisters in this fight noted Maritas.
NUNSO Organizing Director is planning to fly to Monticello, MN tomorrow to help and assist United Security Professionals Local 2 members and their families who are on the picket line. Maritas has also offered assistance in trying to mediate an end to this lockout, if G4S is willing to come back to the table and negotiate in good faith.
The Union say’s they are very concerned that with fewer people providing security, and those who are in place not being familiar with their training, tactics, security plan and layout of the plant, employees in other areas of the plant and those in the surrounding communities are being put at serious risk.
The union has asked for G4S to come back to the bargaining table, but they are refusing, and no more talks are scheduled.
UPDATE: UNION SECURITY WORKERS LOCKED OUT OF THEIR JOBS AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
