Security workers who protect Los Alamos National Laboratory have ratified a new five-year contract.
Union officials announced Tuesday that the deal was reached after both sides compromised and union workers got a no-lockout pledge from security contractor SOC-Los Alamos.
International Guards Union of America Local 69 negotiators walked out of talks last month, accusing SOC-Los Alamos of negotiating in bad faith. But the talks that began in January got back on track.
Union agent Chris Mandril says guards will begin immediately paying 15 percent of their health insurance premiums. In return, they'll receive a 10 percent match for their 401(k) contributions starting next year.
Mandril says the 401(k) match was an important retirement benefit that puts Los Alamos guards on par with security workers at other federal nuclear facilities.
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