Oak Ridge Today

Updated: New Y-12 contract has 2.5 percent wage increases for guards

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:20 p.m. July 8.

A new contract at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge includes 2.5 percent wage increases for security police officers.

The new contract, a five-year labor agreement, applies to more than 360 security police officers at Y-12.

The International Guards Union of America Local 3 and Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates Y-12, reached the agreement on Tuesday, July 3. Negotiations had started in mid-May.

The agreement includes 2.5 percent wage increases each year, said Shannon Gray, president of IGUA Local 3, which is in Oak Ridge. There are also some other incentive payments for rotating shift workers, who will receive a significant bump in pay, Gray said. [Read more…]

Lithium Production Facility could be built in area of Biology Complex at Y-12

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Federal officials have already approved the need for a new Lithium Production Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex, and in May 2018, they said it could be built on the east side of the 811-acre plant, possibly where the Biology Complex, the brick building at center, is now. The east side of Y-12 is pictured above from Scarboro Road on Sunday, May 20, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Federal officials have already approved the need for a new Lithium Production Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex, and in May 2018, they said it could be built on the east side of the 811-acre plant, possibly where the Biology Complex, the brick building at center, is now. The east side of Y-12 is pictured above from Scarboro Road on Sunday, May 20, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Federal officials have already approved the need for a new Lithium Production Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex, and this month, they said it could be built on the east side of the 811-acre plant, possibly where the Biology Complex is now.

Current plans call for demolishing the Biology Complex. Officials had recently been saying that removing buildings from that complex would allow the area to be used for “modern national defense missions.” But it hadn’t been clear what those missions might be.

On May 12, Steven Wyatt, public affairs manager for the National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, confirmed that the Lithium Production Facility could be built there. Y-12 is a NNSA site.

“We are in the early stages of planning for the Lithium Production Capability that is needed to replace the aging and obsolete 9204-2 building,” Wyatt said. “We are reviewing options for constructing a facility in the eastern portion of the Y-12 site, including the area of the Biology Complex.” [Read more…]

Y-12, Pantex donate $1.1 million to local United Way campaigns

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

United Way contributions at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge totaled about $1.1 million.

The contributions were announced last week by Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that manages and operates the two sites. Contributions from employees, retirees, and the corporation were gathered during the sites’ recent campaigns, CNS said in a press release.

Corporate gifts of $150,000 also added to the total, CNS said. Funds also were raised through special events, such as silent auctions, and the sales of jewelry, books, and food items. This year, both sites’ employees added to their United Way activities by raising funds and supplies for local veteran resource centers, the press release said. [Read more…]

Ten members of Y-12 Protective Force graduate from tactical response training

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Ten members of Y‑12’s Protective Force graduated from the Central Training Facility’s Tactical Response Force 200, or TRF‑200. This is the first course held at Y-12 in recent years. The training is intense and specific, Y-12 said on Dec. 6, 2017. (Photo by Y-12 National Security Complex)

Ten members of Y‑12’s Protective Force graduated from the Central Training Facility’s Tactical Response Force 200, or TRF‑200. This is the first course held at Y-12 in recent years. The training is intense and specific, Y-12 said on Dec. 6, 2017. (Photo by Y-12 National Security Complex)

 

Ten members of the Y-12 National Security Complex Protective Force graduated from the Central Training Facility’s Tactical Response Force 200, or TRF‑200.

This was the first course held at Y-12 in recent years, Y-12 said in December.

Y-12 said the training is intense and specific. Graduates prove they have the skills to execute operations that include recapture/recover and pursuit in order to support any interruption within the U.S. Department of Energy environment.

“Graduating from this training takes dedication,” said Eric Belcher, director of Y‑12 Protective Force. “The class members worked their way through a series of tests and evaluations to participate in the course. Training involved intense physical and mental evaluations along with a requirement to demonstrate the potential to complete a four‑week intense program. Once in the course, they endured a grueling full‑day schedule of training.” [Read more…]

CNS Y-12 community fund announces $150,000 in grants to 16 nonprofits

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Anderson County EMS received a grant from the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund. The grants were announced on Dec. 6, 2017. (Photo by CNS Y-12)

Anderson County EMS received a grant from the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund. The grants were announced on Dec. 6, 2017. (Photo by CNS Y-12)

 

Sixteen nonprofit organizations in 11 East Tennessee counties received roughly $150,000 in grants from the Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC (CNS) Y-12 Community Investment Fund.

Anderson County EMS was among the grant recipients. The recipients were announced during a December 6 reception at Y-12’s New Hope Center.

Consolidated Nuclear Security manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. The CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund is managed by the East Tennessee Foundation, and it was created in 2014 by CNS. A similar fund is managed by the Amarillo Area Foundation, a press release said. [Read more…]

With $3 billion in savings expected, not clear how much saved at Y-12, Pantex so far

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Y-12 National Security Complex

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is pictured above. (File photo/B&W Y-12)

 

More than $3 billion in savings are expected during a decade, but it’s not clear yet how much money has been saved after three years under a consolidated contract at two nuclear weapons plants in Tennessee and Texas.

The savings of $3.27 billion are expected under a contract that could last 10 years at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas.

On Monday, officials said Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor at the two sites, has generated significant savings in three fiscal years, although it’s not clear exactly how much they’ve saved. CNS has managed and operated Y-12 and Pantex Plant since July 1, 2014.

Federal officials announced the expected savings of $3.27 billion during a decade when the five-year contract was announced in January 2013. Officials said the consolidated contract, the result of years of work, could save money in part by eliminating redundancies in such areas as human resources, purchasing, finance, and information technology. [Read more…]

Congressmen praise consolidated contract at Y-12, Pantex

Posted at
By 4 Comments

U.S. Representative Mac Thornberry, left, a Texas Republican, and Representative Chuck Fleischmann, a Tennessee Republican, are pictured above after an East Tennessee Economic Council meeting on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

U.S. Representative Mac Thornberry, left, a Texas Republican, and Representative Chuck Fleischmann, a Tennessee Republican, are pictured above after an East Tennessee Economic Council meeting on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Two congressmen, one from East Tennessee and other the chair of the House Armed Services Committee, praised the consolidated contract that has been used to manage and operate the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge for more than three years.

The two sites are managed by Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC. Y-12 and Pantex are involved in nuclear weapons work and nuclear nonproliferation, and providing enriched uranium for naval, research, and isotope production reactors.

The transition to the consolidated contract, one of the most complex in the history of the U.S. Department of Energy, was completed on July 1, 2014. At that time, officials said the contract included a total annual operating budget of $1.5 billion and employment of about 8,000 in Tennessee and Texas. [Read more…]

Safety Fest TN opens with Community Safety Forum on Tuesday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

 

On September 12, Safety Fest TN will hold a Community Safety Forum, an annual event that officially kicks off Safety Fest TN and its Safety Expo.

Safety Fest TN offers free safety classes to residents and companies September 11-15.

This year’s Community Safety Forum will be held in the Wamp Auditorium at 9 a.m. Tuesday, September 12, at the New Hope Center at Y-12 National Security Complex. More than 900 people have registered for the event.

Headlining the Community Safety Forum are Burns Phillips, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce; Steve Hawkins, administrator of the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration; David Purkey, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security; and Patrick Sheehan, the director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

“We wanted to offer our audience a statewide perspective on workplace safety and emergency preparedness, and who best to deliver that message than the commissioners and their administrators?” said Tom Wantland, a Safety Fest TN organizer. [Read more…]

Consolidated Nuclear Security gives, receives recognitions at inaugural award ceremony

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Jorge and Deana Sanabria, owners of Expoquip Inc., accept the CNS Small Business of the Year award from Y-12 Socioeconomic Program Manager Lisa Copeland, left. (Photo courtesy CNS)

Jorge and Deana Sanabria, owners of Expoquip Inc., accept the CNS Small Business of the Year award from Y-12 Socioeconomic Program Manager Lisa Copeland, left. (Photo courtesy CNS)

 

As part of the first combined ceremony honoring outstanding small business and local business leaders, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC honored its Small Business of the Year, and CNS President and Chief Executive Officer Morgan Smith was recognized with the Kerry Trammell Volunteer of the Year award.

This is the first year CNS, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce have combined their award ceremonies, a press release said.

Expoquip Inc. was recognized as the CNS Small Business of the Year. The company, owned by Jorge and Deana Sanabria, specializes in worldwide distribution of high-quality, heavy machinery parts, and components, the press release said.

“Expoquip has the characteristics I look for in a vendor: passion, commitment, drive,” said Lisa Copeland, Y-12 socioeconomic program manager. “From the time I met them at a local supplier event in 2013, I knew they would achieve their dream of expanding their business by moving into government subcontracting. You just don’t encounter many business owners with the enthusiasm and determination that the Sanabrias show.” [Read more…]

Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC honored for small business achievement

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

From left to right, Ryan Johnston and Lisa Copeland, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC Small Business program managers, and Cindy Morgan, senior supply chain manager, receive an award for Facility Management Contractor Small Business Achievement of the Year from Christy Jackiewicz, Acting Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. (Photo by CNS)

From left to right, Ryan Johnston and Lisa Copeland, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC Small Business program managers, and Cindy Morgan, senior supply chain manager, receive an award for Facility Management Contractor Small Business Achievement of the Year from Christy Jackiewicz, acting director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. (Photo by CNS)

 

Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC was recently honored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. The company received an award for Facility Management Contractor Small Business Achievement of the Year at the 16th Annual Small Business Forum and Expo.

The Facility Management Contractor Small Business Achievement of the Year award recognizes the tangible, annual, organizational results of a DOE facilities management contractor, Y-12 said in a story posted on its website in June.

“These results are measured in terms of dollars and percentage increases in small business procurement activity, as well as policies, programs, and procedures that promote small business use,” Y-12 said. [Read more…]

CNS grant gives Roane State students opportunity to complete valuable training

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Anderson County High student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

Anderson County High School student Doug Stooksbury works on equipment at Roane State’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton. His tuition for his final semester of dual enrollment mechatronics instruction was funded through a grant provided by employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

CLINTON—High school students in the dual enrollment mechatronics program at Roane State Community College received a final-semester financial boost, thanks to a grant from employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC.

Those employees of CNS—the contractor that operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge—last year awarded a $10,000 grant to underwrite the Spring 2017 tuition for mechatronics students in Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Anderson County high schools. The grant was awarded through the CNS Community Investment Fund.

The Community Investment Fund provides thousands of dollars to local nonprofits. Y-12 employees work with the East Tennessee Foundation to award the grants through a competitive grant process.

In the mechatronics program, high school students take courses in maintaining and improving automated machines and robots used by many of today’s manufacturers, said Gordon Williams, director of Roane State’s mechatronics program. [Read more…]

Cast your vote in ‘Dream It. Do It.’ middle school competition

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

CLINTON—The videos are in, and it is now time to vote in Anderson County’s “Dream It. Do It.” middle school competition. The program is in its second year and has grown from four to six schools, including two from the Oak Ridge school system.

“Dream It. Do It.” is sponsored by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Anderson County Schools, Oak Ridge Schools, and Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, or CNS, the managing contractor at Y-12 National Security Complex. It is designed to bring student awareness of job opportunities in advanced manufacturing, a press release said.

Using GoPro cameras provided by CNS, six teams of eighth-graders were paired with area industries to create videos to tell the companies’ stories. These videos are then posted online for public voting. Each winning team member receives a GoPro camera, also provided by CNS.

This year’s participant teams included: Clinton Middle School and Aisin, Jefferson Middle School and Protomet, Lake City Middle School and Techmer PM, Norris Middle School and Eagle Bend, Norwood Middle School and Clayton Homes, and Robertsville Middle School and SL America. [Read more…]