Council to Act as Mediator and Arbitrator for Worker Complaints

The Government Accountability Project (GAP) is hailing the creation of the Hanford Concerns Council (HCC), an independent panel designed to handle employee concerns of workplace safety, worker health, and environmental hazards. HCC was created earlier this week on Monday, June 27.

HCC is a joint venture of GAP, government contractor CH2M Hill Hanford Group and DOE’s Office of River Protection. The council will bring together important representatives of the Hanford community to collaborate and provide timely solutions for difficult problems. By gathering the perspectives of the employees, company, and neutral participants, HCC will mediate fair and equitable solutions.

Most importantly, HCC has CH2M Hill commitment to implement recommended resolutions with the exception of recommendations that the contractor can show would violate contract provisions. GAP recognizes this as a promise from CH2M Hill to improve the conditions in and around the Hanford area. GAP also applauds the commitment from the Department of Energy’s Office of River Protection in offering to support the process.

Tom Carpenter, GAP Nuclear Oversight Program Director and HCC council member, stated “The Concerns Council represents a unique avenue for employees to identify and resolve concerns in a safe environment, without giving up their rights. Especially in a complex workplace like Hanford, it is essential that every employee can be heard. GAP encourages CH2M HILL Hanford employees to utilize this process when they feel that their concerns are not being adequately addressed through the normal channels.”

The council consists of nine members and a Chair, each representing one of three positions – company, nuclear safety and worker advocate, and neutral. GAP nominated the worker advocate seats, which are now held by Tom Carpenter, Lea Mitchell (GAP Nuclear Oversight Program Investigator), Dana Gold, a Seattle University Law Professor and formerly of GAP, and Todd Martin, who chairs the Hanford Advisory Board and formerly worked for Hanford Education Action League, or HEAL.  The Council is chaired by University of Washington professor Jon Brock.

More information about HCC can be found at its web site.