In the first bargaining session since Sept. 2, the OPEIU “walked out” of virtual negotiations this morning after about 15 minutes of discussions and as Sandia was preparing to present a wage proposal. The labs would have preferred to have a dialogue, but instead submitted by email its first wage proposal, which included a ratification bonus that expires if a new contract is not ratified by 11:59 p.m. this Friday.
Prior to the union leaving negotiations, OPEIU negotiators informed Sandia they had filed an unfair labor charge with the National Labor Relations Board. This is a common union tactic during negotiations. Sandia has not been provided with a copy of the charge but will respond promptly through the NLRB process. Sandia remains committed to bargaining in good faith to reach a new agreement that is fair to employees and supports Sandia’s national security mission.
Including today, the union, led by an international representative in California, has only been available for six virtual negotiating sessions since Aug. 18 despite Sandia’s offer to meet daily, including weekends, and despite the union’s prior agreement to meet in person. Sandia asked to meet again today to negotiate outstanding articles, all of which reside with the union. With only two scheduled days left for bargaining, the union declined to meet until tomorrow morning. If an agreement cannot be reached before the contract expires on Sept. 22 and a work stoppage occurs, Sandia has contingency plans in place to make sure the labs can carry out its mission.