727 Y-12 workers sue CNS; say they have to pay overtime

More than 700 workers at the Y-12 national security complex are suing their employers for overtime payment.

The 727 workers are suing Consolidated Nuclear Security, which manages the installation of nuclear weapons and security for the US Department of Energy. Lawyer Garry Ferraris has filed the lawsuit in Knoxville U.S. District Court.

The lawsuit accuses CNS, for “at least” three years, of employees working more than 40 hours per week without paying them all the overtime required by law. They are looking to collect this overtime payment in addition to other financial relief, including legal fees.

The complaint, delivered to The Oak Ridger by Ferraris, said workers were working off the clock or without overtime pay at various times. One such example was the failure to pay overtime during the periods in which they put on protective clothing. The complaint states that these workers were required to wear protective clothing to do their jobs, and that this clothing included flame retardant clothing, safety boots and safety glasses.

He listed the dangers that workers face such as “electric shock or electric arc, fire, physical, radiological hazards, uranium, beryllium, asbestos, lead, hexavalent chromium, lithium, biological agents, transuranic waste or other toxic substances”.

“We are aware of the lawsuit and are investigating the allegations it presents. We believe that we are paying our employees in accordance with both the Fair Labor Standards Act and the contractual terms negotiated with our unions,” the door said. CNS word Kathryn King when questioned about the trial.

The complaint states that the complainants were employed by CNS in the Electricians and Linemen Group, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics Group, Asbestos Work Mechanics Group, Construction Services Group, carpenter group, machinist group, operator group, X-ray control technician group, pipe fitter Group, Sheet metal group, Stockkeeper group, Garage mechanic group, Ironworker and rigger group, Machinist fitter group, Group Machinist Cleaner, Outdoor Machinist Group and Welding Group.

Ben Pounds is a reporter for The Oak Ridger. Call him at (865) 441-2317, email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @Bpoundsjournal.