Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) entered into a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the Augusta Building and Construction Trades Council, which is comprised of 19 local unions, during a signing event held at the International Union of Electrical Workers Hall. The agreement is in support of the construction of the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF).

Signing the PLA on behalf of the local unions was Will Salters, President of the Augusta Building and Construction Trades Council. Salters served as the council’s lead representative during the negotiation process with SRNS and is particularly eager to get started with the construction work at Savannah River Site (SRS). “This project agreement guarantees SRNS access to more than 2,500 skilled trades and craft employees. Any time our local union members can find work here in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), their families and communities benefit as well,” said Salters.

Signing the PLA on behalf of SRNS was James Toler, SRNS Executive Vice President, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Capital Projects. Toler is also looking forward to the partnership between the unions and SRNS. “The PLA signing today represents the accomplishment of a key construction milestone for the SRPPF project and demonstrates SRNS’ commitment to move forward in a spirit of collaboration and alignment with the local unions to deliver this exceptional project. I look forward to establishing long term, mutually beneficial relationships as we progress into the construction phase of the SRPPF project,” said Toler. The SRPPF project is ramping up and preparing to begin construction before the end of this year, making today’s announcement even more exciting. With approximately 2,500 construction and trade union jobs to fill, this agreement is particularly important for the project. Once the construction of the facility is completed, the enduring plutonium pit production mission will continue to employ approximately 1,800 people.

The plutonium pit production mission is an essential part of the NNSA’s long term strategy for nuclear stockpile sustainment. NNSA is responsible for maintaining and ensuring the safety, security, and effectiveness of the national nuclear stockpile.