Labor Negotiations

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2026 Labor Contract Updates

The Metal Trades Council collective bargaining agreement with Sandia National Laboratories expires Tuesday, Sept. 22. The agreement covers about 550 of Sandia’s approximately 15,500 employees. Negotiations for a new contract are scheduled to begin Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Please refer to this website for any significant updates on the contract negotiation process.

Negotiation Goals

  • Sandia’s goals are to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement that is fair to MTC members and supports Sandia’s national security mission.
  • Sandia is committed to carrying out its national security mission and to continue meeting customer needs.
  • Sandia believes the place for the discussion of the contract is at the negotiating table.
  • All content is for informational purposes only. Federal labor law prohibits NTESS from bargaining directly with employees. We will only negotiate with union officials.

Ongoing Updates

Sept. 16, 2026, 9:05 a.m.

Sandia is pleased that bargaining between Sandia and the MTC concluded with union members ratifying a new collective bargaining agreement. This new agreement is effective Sept. 23, 2026, through Sept. 19, 2029. 

Sandia appreciates the hard work over the past several weeks by both parties to reach an agreement that is fair to union members. Working together, we will continue to carry out our important national security mission. 

Sept. 8, 2026, 11:43 a.m.

Sandia and MTC representatives reached a tentative agreement late last week on a new three-year contract, which is fair and competitive and supports Sandia’s national security mission. Union negotiators will recommend that MTC members vote to ratify the agreement when they meet. Sandia encourages union members to vote so their voices are heard. 

The agreement was reached after two weeks of good faith bargaining. Sandia has proposed $2,000 ratification bonuses to be paid if the union notifies Sandia of a ratified contract by 5 p.m. MDT Sept. 16. 

Sandia respects the union’s right to present terms of the agreement to its members. When known, the ratification vote results will be posted here.  

Sept. 4, 2026, 5:28 p.m.

Sandia and MTC representatives met several times today in productive sessions at the bargaining table. Check back after the Labor Day holiday for more details. 

Sept. 3, 2026, 5:18 p.m.

Sandia and MTC representatives continued to meet today, focusing on a handful of remaining issues. The groups plan to continue negotiating tomorrow. 

Sept. 2, 2026, 9:05 p.m. 

Contract negotiations continued today with Sandia and MTC representatives meeting four times at the bargaining table, working late into the evening and reaching a few agreements. Negotiations are now focused on a small handful of issues and scheduled to resume tomorrow. 

Sept. 1, 2026, 7:35 p.m. 

Discussions continued between Sandia and MTC with negotiators meeting four times at the bargaining table today, further narrowing down issues. The groups plan to continue negotiations tomorrow. 

Aug. 31, 2026, 6:20 p.m.

Sandia and MTC began the second week of negotiations with two sessions at the bargaining table. The groups have reached tentative agreements on several contract articles and narrowed down remaining issues to discuss. They plan to continue negotiations tomorrow.  

Aug. 28, 2026, 3:47 p.m.

Sandia and MTC representatives concluded a productive first week of bargaining. The groups remain motivated to move quickly toward a ratified agreement and will resume negotiations next week.  

Aug. 27, 2026, 7:01 p.m.

Contract negotiations continued today with Sandia and MTC representatives meeting three times at the bargaining table. The groups discussed several contract articles, narrowing the scope on some key issues. Bargaining is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning.

Aug. 26, 2026, 7:12 p.m.

Sandia and MTC continued contract negotiations today. Both groups are motivated to reach an agreement quickly. There were a lot of positive discussions and the groups met multiple times at the bargaining table. Several proposals and counterproposals were exchanged. Bargaining will resume at 9 a.m. tomorrow. 

Aug. 25, 2026, 4:25 p.m.

During a busy day of negotiations, Sandia offered several counterproposals on operational, administrative and benefits articles in response to a comprehensive proposal MTC put forth yesterday.

Representatives from both Sandia and MTC said they are motivated to move quickly toward a ratified agreement. The groups are planning to meet again tomorrow morning.

Aug. 13, 2026

The Sandia Labor Relations team and the Metal Trades Council will begin negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement Tuesday, Aug. 25.