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More than 300 members of Local 1-2, the Utility Workers of America, which represents employees of the nuclear power plant in Northern Westchester, voted to authorize a strike on Thursday. Their contract expires on Wednesday and a strike could happen as early as next week.
Employees said they are seeking a new collective bargaining agreement that would extend to the plant's closing. Indian Point is set to close in 2020 and 2021 after Entergy, which owns Indian Point said it was closing down the plant because it was no longer economically viable to remain open.
James Slevin, the president of the union, said the employees' expertise and work will be needed after the plant closes.
"There is no plan in place to replace the clean energy generated for New Yorkers by Indian Point," Slevin said.
Jerry Nappi, a spokesman for Entergy, said the company has a contingency plan in case employees strike.
"Management personnel are trained and qualified to fill all of the positions needed to operate the units safely and in accordance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations," Nappi said. "All important support functions - safety, shift operations, emergency planning and response, and others -- would be staffed with the required levels of qualified personnel."
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