Labor Negotiations

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2023 Labor Contract Updates

The Metal Trades Council collective bargaining agreement with Sandia National Laboratories expires Sept. 29. The agreement covers about 500 of Sandia’s 15,500 employees. Negotiations for a new contract are scheduled to begin Aug. 28. 

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 mission and continuing to meet customer needs.
  • Sandia believes the place for the discussion of the contract is at the negotiating table.

Ongoing Updates

September 29, 2023 – 5:28 p.m.

Sandia is pleased that Metal Trades Council members have ratified a new contract that is fair to employees and enables the labs to continue meeting its important national security mission. The new three-year agreement is effective through Sept. 22, 2026.

Sandia appreciates the hard work over the past several weeks by both parties. Working together, we will continue to carry out our important national security mission.

September 27, 2023 – 4:48 p.m.

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

The agreement was reached after several weeks of good faith bargaining. Sandia has proposed ratification bonuses to be paid if the union notifies Sandia of a ratified contract by 10 p.m. Friday.

We respect the union’s wish to present other terms of the agreement to their members. We will post the result of the ratification vote when we hear it.

September 26, 2023 – 5:07 p.m.

Sandia and MTC negotiators met several times today, moving closer on wages and benefits proposals. Both groups have agreed to meet into the evening and continue negotiations now that they have momentum.

September 25, 2023 – 5:04 p.m.

Sandia and MTC negotiators made good progress today, reaching tentative agreements on four additional contract items. Proposals on wages and benefits remain on the table. Both groups are motivated to reach an agreement before the end of the fiscal year. Negotiators plan to continue talks tomorrow and the rest of the week before the current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. Friday.

September 21, 2023 – 4:12 p.m.

Sandia and MTC negotiators reached tentative agreements on 18 additional contract items today, bringing the number of such agreements to 27. Twenty-five of the 52 contract articles, including wages and benefits items, remain on the table. Sandia has offered MTC-represented employees significant pay increases, a benefits package aligned with all nonrepresented employees and a ratification bonus.

Negotiators plan to meet every day next week before the contract expires at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 29.

September 20, 2023 – 5:12 p.m.

Discussions were positive between Sandia and MTC negotiators during the two meetings at the bargaining table today. Both groups exchanged proposals on wages, closing the gap between the initial positions. Sandia’s proposals offered MTC-represented employees the same holidays, vacation plan and benefits programs as all non-represented employees, including all benefits announced by the Labs director yesterday, along with significant pay increases. Negotiators will continue bargaining tomorrow. 

September 18, 2023 – 4:07 p.m.

During several positive and productive discussions, Sandia and MTC exchanged multiple proposals, including on wages and benefits. The groups also reached a tentative agreement on an administrative contract item. Negotiators anticipate meeting at the bargaining table on Wednesday and Thursday.

September 14, 2023 – 4:32 p.m.

Negotiators for Sandia and MTC had a lot of discussions today, reached a tentative agreement on an eighth administrative contract item and agreed to break for the weekend. With the groups remaining far apart on wages and benefits, negotiators have agreed to meet at least three days next week — Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

September 13, 2023 – 5:36 p.m.

Sandia and MTC met twice at the table today on wages and other administrative and operational items. The group showed progress, reaching one tentative agreement. Sandia and MTC will meet again tomorrow and are planning to meet three days next week.

September 12, 2023 – 3:25 p.m.

Sandia, like MTC, used the day to prepare for continued negotiations and is eager to meet tomorrow. Additionally, Sandia has added an FAQ on its commitment to providing factual information on this website during negotiations.

September 11, 2023 – 11:52 a.m.

After being contacted by Sandia negotiators this morning, MTC representatives refused to meet at the table today to discuss the contract that expires in less than three weeks. The two groups are far apart on wages and benefits proposals, so Sandia representatives were hoping for a productive week of bargaining. Sandia negotiators remain ready to bargain today.

At the beginning of negotiations Aug. 28, Sandia and MTC representatives agreed to bargain two days this week, today and Wednesday. After today, only five agreed upon days of negotiations remain before the contract expires at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 29.

September 8, 2023 – 5:19 p.m.

The second week of negotiations closed with Sandia and MTC representatives having passed back and forth proposals on multiple issues, including wages and benefits. The group reached tentative agreements on three operational items today and plans to meet again Monday, Sept. 11.

September 7, 2023 – 3:17 p.m.

Sandia and MTC representatives reached tentative agreements on three operational items today and had good discussions on several other proposals. The group intends to meet again tomorrow.

September 6, 2023 – 4:54 p.m.

During a productive day of negotiations, Sandia and MTC representatives exchanged several proposals and counterproposals on operational, administrative and economic items, as well as benefits. The groups anticipate meeting at the bargaining table tomorrow and Friday.

September 5, 2023 – 4:34 p.m.

Sandia and MTC representatives have agreed to meet and negotiate Wednesday, Sept. 6.

August 30, 2023 – 4:14 p.m.

Sandia and MTC negotiators met multiple times today. Sandia intends to resume bargaining next week.

August 28, 2023 – 2:30 p.m.

Sandia and MTC began contract negotiations today, quickly agreeing to ground rules and exchanging opening economic and benefits proposals. The groups met three times at the bargaining table, setting a positive tone for productive talks moving forward. Union and Sandia negotiators anticipate meeting at the table twice a week and in committees once a week throughout negotiations. Bargaining will resume Wednesday.