Hanford contractor proposes wage cuts

RICHLAND – CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Co. is proposing wage cuts for Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council workers in the initial economic proposal during organized labor negotiations.

CH2M Hill, which performs groundwater and central Hanford environmental cleanup for the Department of Energy, was the first contractor to make an economic proposal during collective bargaining.

It is proposing no wage increase for 2012, a 4 percent decrease for 2013 and no wage increases for 2014 and 2015, according to the offer made Wednesday.

All employees on traditional pension programs would have benefits frozen and would be moved to an enhanced 401(k) retirement savings plan.

HAMTC also would have a reduced ability to monitor contractors’ safety practices, according to HAMTC.

CH2M had announced about 300 layoffs in September.