RICHLAND, Wash. - EM Assistant Secretary Anne White joined elected officials, Hanford Site leadership, and union leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the Hanford Workforce Engagement Center May 3.
The center is a first of its kind across the DOE complex. Its mission is to be a one-stop shop for current and former Hanford workers and their families for assistance with questions about occupational health and compensation programs.
“I want to thank the DOE and contractor management here at Hanford, the site workforce, and the labor unions here for their unique partnership that made this center a reality," White said. “I hope this marks a new era of collaboration that results in these programs working more effectively and efficiently for the benefit of Hanford workers, past and present."
Additional speakers at the ceremonial ribbon-cutting included Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.); a representative of Sen. Patty Murray's office (D-Wash.); Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.); EM Richland Operations Office Manager Doug Shoop; EM Office of River Protection Manager Brian Vance; Central Washington Building and Construction Trades Council (CWBCTC) President Mike Bossé; and Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council (HAMTC) President Jeff McDaniel.
Community leaders, Hanford workers, and other community supporters attended the presentations and ribbon-cutting.
DOE, Hanford contractors and the two unions - CWBCTC and HAMTC - worked together to establish the center.
The center opened on April 2 and is staffed by union and non-union Hanford workers who are knowledgeable about the many programs and options available to employees with occupational health concerns and their family members. Staff members are experts on navigating the federal and state programs available to current and former Hanford workers.
“The staff at the center are second to none," said Jeff McDaniel, HAMTC president. “This is a place where workers can go to get help with their questions and get pointed in the right direction."
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
