Whitfield threatens action if plant pensions aren't protected (KY)

... U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield said Thursday that Congress's intention was "quite clear" when it passed a law directing the Energy Department to maintain longtime pension and health care transfer policies.

So far, the department has refused to extend those benefits to the new cleanup contractor, Paducah Remediation Services.

If the Energy Department doesn't extend the benefits, nuclear plant unions in Paducah and Piketon, Ohio, may sue to enforce the law, said Rob Ervin, president of the United Steelworkers Local 5-550. Another option would be for Congress to reinforce language passed in the Energy Conference Report last fall, Whitfield said ...

It was the first field hearing of the subcommittee chaired by Whitfield, a Republican from Hopkinsville. Only one other member, Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Michigan, attended ...

http://www.wkyt.com/Global/story.asp?S=4385574&nav=4CAL