When the pandemic hit last spring, an essential group of employees remained on-site to keep our mission-essential functions operating. Among these were Capital Projects and Facilities and Operations-Logistics craft team members, who continued to come on-site to ensure the Laboratory could fulfill its national security mission in the midst of a global health crisis.
“Our craft employees were instrumental in keeping our important infrastructure activities moving forward, despite the abrupt change to our work and home lives last spring,” noted Kathye Segala, Associate Lab Director for Capital Projects.
Bret Simpkins, Associate Lab Director for Facilities and Operations, agreed. “I am extremely pleased with the efforts our craft employees made — and continue to make — to keep the Lab operating throughout this uncertain time.”
While driving infrastructure improvements, the craft team members continue to put safety and security first. Many of them were among the first employees to get vaccinated, and they continue to be leaders in the adherence to COVID safety protocols that have become the norm over the past year.
Their efforts and contributions have not gone unnoticed; both the New Mexico State House of Representatives and Senate proclaimed March 4, 2021 as "Los Alamos National Laboratory Union Craft Workers Day."
Representative Christine Chandler and Senator Leo Jaramillo recognized the efforts of these employees by sponsoring the proclamations and sharing the good news among their peers.
As more LANL employees line up to get the vaccine, we can be sure that our craft team members will continue to be front and center in the fight against COVID.
LA-UR-21-24174