Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory's Technicians & Specialists Filing for Union Representation with IFPTE

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ALBANY, NY (01/18/2012)(readMedia)-- Schenectady, NY – On Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 at 1 p.m., Technicians and Specialists at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) will file with the NLRB's (Leo O'Brien) field office in Albany, NY, for a union election to join their colleagues with the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Local 147, in order to gain respect and a voice at KAPL.

The Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, along with the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory outside Pittsburg, PA, and the Naval Reactors Facility out of Idaho Falls, Idaho, design the nuclear reactors and train the operators for the United States Navy.

"Under the Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation, Knolls Atomic Power Lab has experienced many changes that have resulted in less efficient operations, poor morale, pay freezes and loss of benefits." said Butch Greski, a Technician at KAPL. "As a technician/specialist, a union will give us the voice we need to hold KAPL accountable to fair compensation, reasonable treatment and continued success into the future."

Noting the critical role KAPL employees have with the United States nuclear Navy, IFPTE Local 147 President Charlie Trembley said members are honored KAPL employees want to become part of Local 147.

"As more of our colleagues join IFPTE, the more effective our ability in working with Bechtel to ensure its treatment and compensation of employees is fair, and their service to the Navy is outstanding and efficient," said Trembley, a design coordinator at KAPL. "We also look forward to our administrative staff, engineers, scientists and other professionals at KAPL, as well as our counter parts at our sister locations, joining IFPTE so their voices are also heard."

IFPTE is a diverse labor union representing more than 80,000 men and women in highly skilled and professional occupations. At KAPL, IFPTE Local 147 has from the beginning represented the designers and draftsmen.