State Senator Patty Ritchie and Assemblyman Will Barclay met with representatives of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Constellation Energy Group to urge both sides to return to the negotiating table to end the nuclear plant strike that has idled several hundred Oswego County residents.

“Oswego has a long and proud history of active community support for the nuclear industry,” said Senator Ritchie. “A key reason is the outstanding relationship between the workers and management.”

“I have told both sides that it’s vital for the parties to get back to the table to find common ground before this creates long-term animosities,” Senator Ritchie said. “A long-term bitter strike could damage Oswego’s national reputation as a place where the nuclear industry is welcomed and enjoys widespread community support.”

“Today’s meetings were a good opportunity to reinforce the importance of getting negotiations back on track and getting people back to work. That was the overall theme of the meetings, and I am confident that both sides would like to achieve this goal,” said Assemblyman Barclay. “We have been extremely fortunate to have widespread community support for the nuclear industry here in Oswego County. The people that work at Constellation, whether they are management or union workers, are our neighbors, friends and family members. That is why it is important to get the parties back to the table, and I will continue to do what I can to achieve this objective.”

“Those of us who support nuclear energy and see the economic value it offers as a clean and reliable source of energy also realize that its future is directly tied to its dedicated workforce,” Senator Ritchie said. “That’s why we held separate meetings with the union and management to urge each of them to resume talks to end this stalemate that is dividing the Oswego community.”

IBEW’s Local 97 went on strike July 9 at Constellation Energy Nuclear Group’s Nine Mile Point Unit I and Unit II nuclear plants due to contract issues. A total of 580 workers are on strike.