Labor Relations in the Atomic Program

As in other areas of the United States program, the most pervasive influence in labor relations in atomic energy has been the federal government. The non-government sector is expanding rapidly in terms of the number of companies launching atomic energy operations, but this expansion is still in the exploratory and research and development stage. During this period of development in the private sector of the industry employers have relatively heavy need for engineering and technical skills and less for manual workers who are more susceptible to union organization. Although some problems for management and labor in the private sector of the program are emerging, particularly in the area of radiation hazard to workers, there has been little collective bargaining experience there.

Thus the government-administered portion of the program continues to hold the center of interest for labor-management relations.