Hanford guards approve contract with signing bonus

The Hanford Guards Union voted Tuesday to accept a proposed new contract with Mission Support Alliance after three contract extensions during negotiations.

“We have a long-standing relationship with the guards and greatly value the critical function they have here at Hanford,” said Rae Moss, spokeswoman for Mission Support Alliance. “The positive ratification of this new labor agreement is a result of good faith collective bargaining by both parties.”

Mission Support Alliance holds the Department of Energy contract for support services at Hanford, including for security.

The new contract includes a signing bonus of $1,000, according to information posted by the union on its website. Wage increases will be 2 percent for 2016 retroactive to Oct. 25, 2 percent for 2017 and 1 percent for 2018.

There is no wage increase negotiated for the final two years of the contract. However, discussions on wages can be re-opened in 2019 with no risk of wages going down.

Time-and-a-half will be paid for work over 12 hours a day or 40 hours in a week, with double time for work in excess of 52 hours.

Union officials had recommended a “yes” vote after a tentative labor agreement was reach Jan. 11.

Issues discussed during negotiations had included details related to disability retirement benefits and a company proposal to change the guards’ work schedule, according to union officials.

The new contract agreement increases employee contributions to the guard’s income protection plan at 0.5 percent per year to a maximum 4 percent in 2019. The plan provides supplemental income protection for guards who may not be able to continue to meet job requirements as a result of failing to meet a required medical standard or physical qualification.

The shift rotation will move to an eight, seven and 11-week duration.

The number of guards under contract is not made public for security reasons.

This story was originally published January 26, 2016 at 9:36 PM with the headline "Hanford guards approve contract with signing bonus."