Labor negotiations between Pantex contractor Consolidated Nuclear Security and unions represented by the Metal Trades Council were “recessed” temporarily last week at the request of the mediator from the Federal Mediation and Consolidation Service. The recess was to give the parties some time to digest and reflect on their talks in an attempt to end the strike by 1,100 workers at Pantex.

There has been no word on when the bargaining will resume. When I asked for an update on negotiations and the impact of the strike on production activities at the Texas plant, CNS spokesman provided this response:

“Because of the sensitivity and the critical importance of the discussions, both the employer and the unions have agreed to a request by FMCS to refrain from commenting to the news media regarding the status and substance of the talks.”

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