SRNS to make offer to majority of workers
5/17/2008 12:33 AM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions will make job offers to about 99 percent of the current management and operations employees at the Savannah River Site, and most can expect the same pay and benefits.
That was a key message from CEO Chuck Munns at a town hall meeting at USC Aiken Friday. SRNS will take over management of the site from the Washington Savannah River Company around Aug. 1.
Nearly 400 people attended the informational meeting, the second of three scheduled by SRNS. Munns introduced his senior management team, including Sam Bhattacharyya, who will become the Savannah River National Laboratory director.
"We recognize your long history at the site," said Munns. "We salute what you did in the Cold War and since then. We pledge to keep that going. You have the experience to continue in the site's success and we will relay on your knowledge."
SRNS is a new partnership of three long-established firms - senior partner Fluor Corporation, Northop Grumman and Honeywell Corporation. The U.S. Department of Energy selected SRNS over WSRC in January, a decision upheld in April following a protest by WSRC's parent company, URS Washington Division.
SRNS will function as one company with the sole purpose of operating the site, Munns said.
He also pledged that the company is committed to safety and sees SRS as a continuing mission, not as a closure site. Safety, results and service to country won't change.
What will change, said Munns, is that times have changed as the company moves forward. There's a nuclear renaissance under way, a potential hydrogen economy and a different government following this election year.
"We will close some parts of the site," said the retired Navy admiral. "But we were going forward at a time filled with opportunities. We bring new insight, some new kinds of experiences. That's why we were selected."
During the transition period, the senior managers will review current operations. The National Lab will get a thorough assessment with the goal of establishing a premier DOE program.
SRNS officials said they want to tap into the experiences of the hundreds of retirees still living in the area. Acknowledging that many more employees will retire in the next decade, the company will strive to recruit young talent and find a way to keep it. They also plan to work with USC Aiken, Aiken Technical College and other higher education programs to help with that process.
The corporate partners that make up SRNS have a long history of community involvement, and SRNS will continue the efforts of WSRC as a good corporate citizen.
"Our vision is very much one of engagement in the community, and we'll still need coaching from you on what you do in this community," said Munns. "I personally believe education is crucial for the site, this region and our nation. We need to do everything we can to encourage more scientists and engineers."
Two new senior managers have met with Dr. Whit Gibbons at the Savannah River Ecology Lab, beset by heavy budget cuts, as well as loss of support from the University of Georgia. SREL brings value to the site and has a role to play, managers said, but they don't yet know what that is. They do plan to look at community partnerships and other support vehicles for SREL.
"We can't promise anything now," said Munns in response to a question. "But you believe in it and we'll work with you."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.

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