Overwhelming majority of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory workers unanimously approve contract platform ahead of negotiations and march on the boss
For over seven decades, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has leveraged science and technology to make the world a safer place. The laboratory is a premier, world-leading, federally funded research and development center because its skilled crafts employees, represented by UPTE, have kept the lights on.
Between July 10 and 16, 2024, hundreds of members unanimously cast their ballots to ratify the “2024 UPTE LLNL Contract Platform,” a unified statement of the priorities that will be included in bargaining with management, as identified in our bargaining survey
“Ensuring we have comprehensive and affordable health coverage means peace of mind, knowing that we can handle any medical challenges that come our way,” said Robert Perez, a laboratory carpenter. “It's not just about immediate care; it's about long-term security and well-being. Improving our retirement benefits is equally crucial. After dedicating years of hard work and expertise to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, we deserve to retire with dignity and economic security.”
The 2024 UPTE LLNL Contract Platform demands competitive wages, better benefits, and fairness at work. These priorities are designed to address issues, including severe recruitment and retention cases and a lack of respect from management. The contract platform represents UPTE’s core values, including the belief that workers should have more time to spend with their families and loved ones.
“I could afford to buy a new home, providing a stable and comfortable environment for my family,” expressed Matt Boyd, a heavy equipment mechanic, on what a strong contract at the lab would mean for him and his family. “I would have the resources to take care of my kids, ensuring they have everything they need to thrive and succeed.”
Ken Scantling, a high voltage electrician, also agrees: “We want to spend more time with our families. Winning [a strong contract] would mean a better work-life balance, a secure future, and a feeling of financial stability. Overall, we want to feel less stressed and more empowered.”
While bargaining with management begins later this month, laboratory workers built off of the momentum of the recent contract platform ratification vote by marching on their boss. The issue? A serious lack of investment in proper training for rigger/crane operators.
“We knew that we wanted to strike while the iron was hot,” said Mykel A. Benton, a Laborer 2 at the lab. “When the lab brings on new staff that doesn’t take the time to invest in proper training and onboarding, it slows down everything. Those of us who are already here and experienced have to take time and also train new staff because the work we do can be dangerous. Management needs to know it’s a real safety issue around here, and we’re not going to just ignore it.”
As a team of four, only two of the rigger/crane operators are properly trained and licensed. Rigger/crane operators drive forklifts, overhead cranes, rollers, lifts, dollies, chain falls, stair climbers, tug bars, and slings of various types.
“While the boss wasn’t there at the time, and we, as crane operators, weren’t given time to actually join the march, we made sure to make our presence known through the solidarity shown by our union siblings across the lab,” remarked Mykel. “We delivered our petition to administrative staff, telling them that we would be back.”
A petition signed by more than a majority of all UPTE members at the lab was delivered to administrative staff. That showing of solidarity and organizing sent a clear message to management that lab workers are not going back off when fighting for dignity and respect on the job.
