Seabrook Nuke Plant, Union Strike Deal to Avoid Lockout

During a special, 11th-hour federal negotiation session Sunday, Seabrook Station and union officials were able to bridge the contract gap and reach an agreement that ends a period of labor uncertainty for the nuclear power plant.

The current collective bargaining agreement was set to expire at midnight Monday, and the plant's 226 unionized employees would've been locked out had the new deal not been struck.

The federal mediator was brought in Wednesday to help find a compromise, and Sunday's session was scheduled after those initial discussions weren't successful.

Al Griffith, a spokesman for the plant, praised Sunday's work and discussions in a statement to Patch.

"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 Griffith. "For more than two decades, Seabrook Station and our outstanding employees have provided the region with the safe, clean, affordable power New Englanders have come to expect and depend upon. 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."

Griffith declined Sunday to discuss terms the new contract — which had three major sticking points Wednesday — because the contract hasn't yet been ratified.