BUCHANAN, N.Y. (AP) — Contract negotiations between the owners of the Indian Point nuclear plant and its largest union continued Monday after the two sides agreed to stop the clock after failing to reach agreement by a strike deadline.
Representatives of Utility Workers Union of America, Local 1-2, and Entergy, the plant’s owner, met with a federal mediator after the deadline passed at 12:01 a.m. Monday, said union spokesman Joe Flaherty.
Entergy spokesman Jerry Nappi said negotiations were ongoing.
“We’re working hard to avoid a strike and come to an agreement that benefits the union and all its workers as well as the company at Indian Point,” he said.
Wages and benefits are the main issues dividing the two sides.
Flaherty said the union submitted a proposal to management Monday afternoon in response to one Entergy made at 2 a.m.
“We told them what we need to achieve consensus and we’re awaiting their reply,” he said.
“We’re doing everything in our power to get a deal,” Flaherty added. “We have a general public to think about. We would hope the employer would consider these issues.”
The union overwhelmingly voted earlier this month to strike the nuclear plant at 12:01 a.m. Monday. It represents 433 workers, from maintenance people to reactor operators, at the plant, located in Buchanan, about 35 miles north of Manhattan.
If there is a strike, Entergy said it could operate the plant safely with trained management employees.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has said it would ensure that the plant was running safely during a strike.