Strike Looming At Indian Point Power Plant Over Expiring Union Contract

BUCHANAN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - Some workers may walk off the job at Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant amid a contract dispute.

A collective bargaining agreement between the plant's operator, Entergy, and the Utility Workers Union of America, Local 1-2, is set to expire at the end of the day Friday.

Talks have been under way since Wednesday to try to negotiate a new contract.

Union employees held practice strikes in recent days with the deadline looming.

The roughly 400 union workers that are planning to strike conduct maintenance, radiation safety and other roles at the plant. They said issues including pay and benefits have not been settled.

Entergy announced Thursday both reactors would keep running in the event of a walk-off. The company said supervisors and managers would fill in for the striking workers.

In the event of a strike, the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission would closely monitor the plant to ensure it remains safe operations.

The NRC would also add round-the-clock inspectors for at least the first two days of a walkout.

Entergy has also drafted a strike contingency plan.

The NRC noted that two nuclear power plants have had strikes in recent years without any incidents of operational problems.

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