Statement by FMCS Director Allison Beck on the Ongoing Labor Dispute Involving Pantex/Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) and the Metal Trades Council

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Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

Sep 16, 2015, 01:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Director Allison Beck announced today that she has requested that senior officials from Pantex/Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) and the Metal Trades Council in Amarillo, Texas cooperate with FMCS in scheduling a joint meeting with an FMCS mediator to explore a settlement of the strike that began August 28^th at the Amarillo facility.

Noting that the strike began following worker rejection of a tentative agreement that was unanimously recommended for ratification by the workers' bargaining committee, Director Beck stated:

"While FMCS has been monitoring the situation closely and mediation is normally a completely voluntary process, we cannot stand by and let this critical nuclear weapons facility continue to experience a work stoppage. In the absence of the parties scheduling a session on their own, it is our obligation to extend every effort to help the parties bridge their differences. Accordingly, I have asked FMCS Deputy Director Scot L Beckenbaugh, who has a well-earned reputation of successfully assisting parties in the resolution of complex disputes, to intervene on behalf of FMCS. It is our intention to convene a meeting under the auspices of FMCS at a time and a location that can be agreed upon by the parties."

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and more than 60 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

Web site: www.fmcs.gov

SOURCE Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service