In October, the U.S. Department of Labor ordered Fluor Daniel to reinstate five of the pipe fitters. Among other things, the labor department noted six workers frequently worked overtime on a related crew two days after the layoffs, although Flour said only three or four workers were needed at the time. The department didn't order two more workers reinstated because they quit in support of the other five. Both sides appealed the ruling. On Monday, Fluor officials said they did nothing wrong in laying off the workers but decided to settle to avoid a potentially lengthy and costly court battle.
Appeals can add a great deal of expenses.
Fluor Daniel Northwest also was concerned a trial would mean taking Hanford employees away from ongoing projects. The dispute arose in May, when the pipe fitting crew balked at participating in a hydraulic pressure test with a pipe valve it thought was unsafe. It also complained about possible overexposure to X-rays from tests on pipe welds. But like any Hanford worker, none of the pipe fitters is guaranteed future long-term employment, Holloway said. Officials for the Government Accountability Project, a whistleblower advocacy group representing the pipe fitters, said they'll be watching closely to make sure their clients are treated fairly.