Although it is losing its contract to guard the Y-12 National Security Complex, WSI Oak Ridge on Monday said it will work with B&W Y-12 to help with the transition of the plant’s protective force during the next few weeks.
B&W Y-12 announced Friday that it would end the contract with WSI. That announcement came two months after an unprecedented security breach at Y-12, and it occurred on the same day that the National Nuclear Security Administration recommended a contract termination.
B&W Y-12, which manages and operates the plant for the National Nuclear Security Administration, will now be responsible for security.
The transition of the site’s protective functions started Monday, and a WSI press release suggested it could last several weeks.
“WSI Oak Ridge will continue to assist however necessary, for as long as necessary, to ensure a safe and secure transition,” the release said. “Both parties have agreed that in the interest of Y-12, we will work together to secure opportunities for support personnel.”
The 811-acre Y-12 plant, which manufactures parts for every weapon in the nation’s nuclear arsenal, has about 500 guards. Also known as Wackenhut Services and G4S Government Solutions, WSI has guarded the site since 2000.
“WSI has enjoyed supporting NNSA, B&W, and the Oak Ridge community at large over our past decade of protective force support to the Y-12 National Security Complex,” the release said.
In its press release Friday, B&W Y-12 said active Y-12 security police officers and other active union WSI Oak Ridge employees at Y-12 and the Central Training Facility in Oak Ridge will be offered employment with B&W Y-12 at their current wages and benefits. Collective bargaining agreements with union employees will be honored.
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