Members of the Tech Division at the Perry Nuclear Plant ratified a new three-year contract on October 1st, securing stability for 55 workers represented by Local 270. Located east of Cleveland on Lake Erie, Perry’s single-unit boiling water reactor generates 1,268 megawatts of electricity — enough to power over one million homes. This new agreement, effective through September 30, 2027, comes after a challenging negotiation period.
The previous contract expired in May 2024, leading to extended negotiations well past the deadline, with a final extension set to expire on September 30. Tensions escalated as the union conducted a strike authorization vote in late September, highlighting key issues like wages, pension protections, and sick time benefits.
Local 270 President Chris Ericksen described the negotiations as tough but ultimately successful. “It took the company a while, but they finally came back with a wage proposal that members found acceptable,” he said. The proposal addressed some long-standing wage concerns and included other benefits to enhance job security and quality of life for the workers.
Key Contract Provisions
Wages: A $2.50 per hour equity adjustment in the first year of the contract, an increase that equates to about a 6% increase across the nine pay grades. Guaranteed wage increases of 4% in the contract’s second year and 3% in the third year.
Pension Protections: The union successfully preserved pension provisions for all current members, despite the company’s attempts to reduce retirement benefits — a critical win given ongoing challenges to these benefits. Sick time was converted to the company’s short-term disability benefit, but the union secured a once-a-year waiver of the elimination period, ensuring members’ continued access to paid sick leave.
Enhanced Benefits: The contract introduces several additional benefits, including:
- Improved per diem rates and new prevailing wage provisions for members traveling to support refueling outages at other nuclear plants, ensuring fair compensation.
- Additional paid holidays.
- Increased personal leave, providing members with greater flexibility.
- Enhanced funeral leave provisions.
- Vacation rollover of up to 48 hours, allowing employees more freedom in using their paid time off.
With the Tech Division contract finalized, the local will now turn its focus to Perry’s other UWUA unit, whose contract expires in May 2025.