RICHLAND, Wash. – Hanford Guards Union workers resumed picketing in Richland just one day after negotiations with a new federal mediator began.
The picketers occupied all four corners of the intersection at George Washington Way and Knight Street. According to union representatives, they offered HMIS a 30-day extension to return to work, but this offer was declined.
Dave Donovan, Region One’s Vice President of the International Guard Union of America, says they’ve been negotiating in good faith, while hoping HMIS does the same.
“By the end of the day we had movement on our part as the union… we came down a little on what we were asking… the company didn’t move at all,” said Donovan. “We’re trying to come to a middle ground.”
Renee Brooks, the Communications Manager with HMIS, provided a new statement to NonStop Local:
“Negotiations between HMIS and the Hanford Guards Union continue moving forward in a constructive manner—a federal mediator is assisting with negotiations—HMIS will not comment on the specifics of negotiations at this time,” she stated.
Donovan says the union is doing it’s best to secure a better future for its workers.
“We’re trying to look out for the guys and make them some money… all these goods are getting more expensive, but we’re not caught up to it,” said Donovan.
He says he hopes HMIS will come back to the table with a better offer. The union plans to return to the negotiation table on Wednesday and will continue picketing throughout the week. They will be at Stevens Center Drive on Wednesday, Dec. 4, and at the Wye Barricade near Hanford on Thursday, Dec. 5.
