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U.S. Labor Board Issues Complaint Against Nuclear Fuels Services’ Contractor For Unfair Firings

For Immediate Release                                            October 5, 2006

(Pittsburgh, PA)  - United Steelworkers Local 677 members on strike at Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., in Erwin, Tenn., today announced that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint that two contract workers at the nuclear plant were unfairly fired for refusing to do work for which they were insufficiently trained.

An investigation by NLRB Region 10 in Atlanta found enough justification in the union-backed charges against NFS contractor Lauren Engineers and Construction, Inc., to issue the complaint. The complaint stated that management “has engaged and is engaging in certain unfair labor practices” and is “interfering with, restraining and coercing employees” at the plant.

USW District 9 Director Connie Entrekin said, “This government complaint against the NFS contractor brings into question whether the company is more interested in running the plant safely or fighting with its union workforce. Workers shouldn’t be required to perform jobs they feel unqualified for, especially at a potentially hazardous nuclear plant.”

Lauren has provided NFS with contract employees during the current unfair labor practice strike. 370 skilled union workers have been on strike since May