Union Sues TVA Over Guards Representation

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A labor union has sued the Tennessee Valley Authority for refusing to bargain over representation of guards hired back in-house for the Browns Ferry nuclear plant in Alabama.

TVA officials contend the federal utility will hold a union vote when guards at all three TVA nuclear plants are moved from private contractors onto the TVA payroll.

But the United Government Security Officers of America says that means guards at Browns Ferry - the first plant undergoing the transition - will be working without union representation for up to six months.

The union on Tuesday filed a federal lawsuit in Knoxville, where TVA has its headquarters.

Union president James Carney claims TVA has shuffled guards from the payroll to a contractor back to the payroll for a decade to reduce their wages and benefits.