NABTU Offers $200K Reward in Hate Crime Probe at Federal Jobsite

Abstract

June 22, 2022 Emell D. Adolphus KEYWORDS Jobsite crime / Racism in construction / workforce Order Reprints No Comments A noose found June 16 during the construction of a $6.5 billion federal uranium processing facility has prompted an FBI investigation and a $200,000 reward from the North America's Building Trades Unions. Located at the Y-12 National Security Complex near Oak Ridge, Tenn., an employee discovered the noose in a lightly trafficked area of the facility, and it was removed immediately, according to a Y-12 spokesperson. In addition to conducting an internal investigation, project contractor Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC says it has increased "Increased inspections of work areas" and pledges to "Take immediate and severe action toward any employee or subcontractor" involved. In a statement posted to its website announcing the cash reward on June 17, NABTU called the incident a "Hateful act of intimidation." "As we promote a safe and harassment-free workplace, neither NABTU nor its affiliates will condone any act of violence or racist behavior on our jobsites," said the union, adding that they are working with local law enforcement and the Tennessee State and Knoxville Building and Construction Trades Councils to "Identify and bring those responsible to justice." CNS is a consortium comprised of member companies Bechtel National, Inc., Leidos, ATK Launch Systems and SOC LLC, with Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. as a teaming subcontractor. The group operates the Pantex Plant and Y-12 National Security Complex in support of the National Nuclear Security Administration. As part of the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration's Uranium Processing Facility Project, the project supports "The long-term viability, safety, and security of enriched uranium capabilities in the United States."