Workers settle labor dispute at GTL plant

by The Associated Press

Thirteen people who were laid off while building the BP gas-to-liquid plant in Nikiski will receive $233,000 in back wages.

The agreement with Austin Maintenance and Construction Inc. is part of a settlement finalized Aug. 22 with the National Labor Relations Board. The workers had complained they were laid off because they tried to unionize workers on the project.

Austin, which has its headquarters in Houston, was contracted to build the GTL facility, which was completed this year.

The consolidated unfair labor practices complaint charged that Austin managers and supervisors tore up union fliers, drove by the union hall to check up on employees, made rules against wearing union stickers and threatened job and wage security if workers voted to unionize.

As part of the settlement, Austin did not admit to any unfair labor practices. It did agree to pay the terminated workers for time lost and to send a letter detailing the results of the hearing to the 230 people who worked on the project.

“The 13 people involved felt very happy with the result,” said Ron Truini, one of the complainants. He said he was suspended once and threatened with disciplinary action for union activities. Later, he was suspended again and then never was reinstated, according to the consolidated unfair labor practices complaint in the case.

The case began in May 2001, when workers at the plant approached union organizers to explore the option of unionizing.

Organizers collected enough authorization cards — employee-signed statements in support of holding an election — to conduct a NLRB election.

On Aug. 3, 2001, employees voted 51 to 40 against a union.

Organizers claimed that the result was due to intimidation and threats by Austin.