News Summary
Two former employees of nuclear power plants have filed a class-action lawsuit against Dominion Energy and other companies, claiming they conspired to suppress wages since 2003. The lawsuit accuses the companies of violating the Sherman Antitrust Act by sharing sensitive wage information through a digital system, hindering employee earnings across the nuclear sector. The plaintiffs seek court recognition for a larger class of affected workers and monetary damages, along with an injunction to prevent future wage information sharing.
Chesapeake, Virginia — Two former employees at nuclear power plants have launched a class-action lawsuit against Dominion Energy and 25 other nuclear energy companies, accusing them of participating in a conspiracy to suppress wages for workers in the sector. This lawsuit, filed on July 11, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for Maryland, alleges that the companies colluded to fix wage rates since 2003, violating the Sherman Antitrust Act which prohibits agreements that restrain trade.
Lead plaintiffs, Leo Dorrell and John Dunn, contend that the defendants used a digital system known as the CBA Repository to share sensitive compensation information. This repository purportedly facilitated coordination among competitors regarding wage increases and compensation comparisons, effectively stifling potential earnings for workers across the industry.
Dorrell, a Chesapeake resident, served as an instrumentation technician at Dominion’s Surry Power Station from 2008 to 2012. Meanwhile, Dunn, a resident of Herndon, previously worked for the New Orleans-based company Entergy. Their lawsuit seeks to have the court recognize the case as a class action, allowing a larger group of affected employees to join in on the claims and is seeking unspecified monetary damages. Additionally, the plaintiffs are calling for a permanent injunction against the defendants to prevent any future sharing of wage information.
Details of the Allegations
The lawsuit illustrates how the 26 named companies allegedly conspired to exchange information about employee compensation, mainly through attendance at events and the use of the CBA Repository. Reports from a former labor manager of Exelon hinted that such sharing was done with an intent to undermine the bargaining power of labor unions in the nuclear energy sector.
Furthermore, the plaintiffs assert that Dominion employees attended annual meetings of the Nuclear Human Resources Group (NHRG), which is a collective of human resources personnel from nuclear power companies in the United States and Canada. At these conferences, discussions surrounding wage-setting practices and employee benefits were reportedly made, indicating a coordinated approach to wage management among these firms.
Dominion’s Response
In reaction to the lawsuit, Dominion Energy has firmly denied the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to adhering to both employment and antitrust laws. Ryan Frazier, a spokesperson for the company, stated that Dominion intends to vigorously defend itself against the claims put forth in the lawsuit.
Background Context
The allegations come at a time when wage suppression concerns are growing in various sectors, particularly in industries dealing with skilled labor, such as nuclear power. The lawsuit underscores the ongoing debates regarding ethics in wage practices and the impact of corporate collaboration on employee compensation.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications not only for the companies involved but also for the broader nuclear industry and its approach to wage management and worker compensation practices. As the legal proceedings move forward, industry observers will be keenly watching how this case unfolds.
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Additional Resources
- Smithfield Times: Ex-Surry Nuclear Plant Employee Sues Dominion Alleging Nationwide Wage Fixing
- Wikipedia
- Baltimore Sun: Climate Lawsuits Are Wrong
- Google Search: Wage Fixing Nuclear Energy
- Daily Press: High Drama on Chesapeake City Council
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wage Suppression
- PA Environment Daily: DEP Secretary Introduces
- Google News: Nuclear Energy Wage Lawsuit
- Baltimore Sun: Owner of Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant Clashes with BGE
- Google Scholar: Antitrust Laws
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
