PSNH Building Mechanics and Attendant Ratify First Contract
November 26, 2013 - The Building Mechanics and Attendant at Public Service Company of New Hampshire have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement and have officially become members of IBEW Local Union #1837. The contract vote was held this morning at the PSNH garage facility in Manchester.
"I want to thank Building Mechanic Tom Eaton for all the good work he did on this contract and his willingness to also step up and become a Shop Steward," IBEW 1837 Assistant Business Manager Tom Ryan said. "It's a good first agreement for these workers, especially since they will be getting the... Read More
New Contract Agreement Ratified for Members in Littleton
October 30, 2013 - Union members at Littleton Water and Light (LWL) have ratified a new 5-year contract a full two months before the expiration of their current collective bargaining agreement.
The successor agreement takes effect on January 1, 2014 and runs through December 31, 2018 with 2.8% wage increases in each year of the contract.
Union and LWL negotiators agreed to meet in the future if necessary to discuss any cost increases related to the Affordable Care Act (frequently referred to as "Obamacare"). Another change in the contract will require members to submit a receipt if they want... Read More
In Memory of Kris Jacobson, 1960 - 2013
October 8, 2013 - IBEW Local 1837 is mourning the loss of our friend and union brother Kris Jacobson who passed away on Sunday after being hospitalized for some time.
 
Kris was an outstanding Lineworker for the New Hamsphire Electric Cooperative, having worked there for nearly 20 years before illnesses and an accident forced him to leave work. Funeral arrangements may be found in the obituary in a local newspaperhttp://www.legacy.com/obituaries/unionleader/obituary.aspx?pid=167447328....
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Brother Jacobson's family and friends at this difficult time...
Maine Public Service Members Ratify New Contact and Agreement is Merged with Bangor Hydro
October 2, 2013 – IBEW members at Maine Public Service (MPS) have ratified a new contract with an average wage increase of 8.8% over two years. The agreement also includes improvements in overtime, call-out, standby, and system emergency pay as well as a number of other improvements. The contract is an addendum to the collective bargaining agreement the Union already has with Bangor Hydro (BHE), also owned by Emera, Inc.
The contract represents the integration of the agreements at the two companies.
“I’m pleased that the overall contract is better in virtually every way... Read More
Unitil CED Electric System Operators Ratify First Contract Accord
August 8, 2013 - The Electric System Operators at Unitil Service Corporation's Centralized Electric Dispatch (CED) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement.
A majority of the workers had voted last September to be represented by IBEW Local #1837 in a secret ballot election administered by the National Labor Relations Board.
"We're pleased that the System Operators have ratified their first contract," IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers said. "Our Union Negotiating Team all thought it was a good agreement and had recommended its passage."
The... Read More
NU Call Center Workers Lose Union Election
July 31, 2013 - Customer Service Representatives at the Northeast Utilities Call Center have lost their bid to join the Union by a 55 - 93 vote.  A secret ballot election was conducted by the National Labor Relations Board after a long, contentious campaign marred by unfair labor practice charges against the Company.
In spite of Company threats, interrogations, and creating the impression that employees were under surveillance as a result of their support for the Union, nearly 40% of the Customer Service Representatives voted to be represented by IBEW Local #1837.
Some 150 women and men... Read More
New 5-Year Deal Ratified at Black Bear Hydro
July 12, 2013 - IBEW Local 1837 members at Black Bear Hydro Partners, LLC have approved a new 5-year contract that includes wage increases in each year alongside a gradually-increasing cap on the medical insurance contribution rate for employees. The ratification vote took place at the company’s headquarters in Milford, Maine.
The agreement also includes an increase in the Company’s 401(k) contribution, and an increase in the annual boot allowance and the addition of an annual allowance toward a work Carhartt jacket or work bibs.
“I’m pleased that our members at Black Bear Hydro have approved... Read More
Union Members at PSNH Ratify New 4-Year Contract Agreement
June 10, 2013 – Members of IBEW Local #1837 in both Utility and Generation at Public Service Company of New Hampshire have approved a new 4-year contract agreement with the Company. The contract calls for an 11¼% (3, 2.75, 2.5 & 3%) wage increase over the term of the agreement with cash bonuses for the workers in each of the first two years.
“While it certainly wasn’t everything we wanted, the Committee worked hard to get the best deal possible,” said IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers.
A particular challenge for Union negotiators was the Company’s determined stance that employees of... Read More
NLRB Issues Complaints Against NU Call Center for Unfair Labor Practices
June 6, 2013 - Customer Service Representatives at the Northeast Utilities Call Center trying to organize a Union have been repeatedly subjected to policies and practices that violate their rights under the National Labor Relations Act, leading the Regional Director of Region One of the National Labor Relations Board to authorize issuance of complaints against the Company.
More than 150 women and men in the job classification work at the Manchester, New Hampshire facility, answering calls about billing and service for several NU companies including Public Service Company of New Hampshire and... Read More
Union Confident CMP Augusta Customer Service Representatives Have Won NLRB Union Election
June 5, 2013 - Customer Service Representatives at the Central Maine Power Company Call Center in Augusta voted today to decide if they wanted to be represented by IBEW Local #1837 for collective bargaining. In a secret ballot election administered by the National Labor Relations Board, a majority of the 42 employees on the eligible voter list voted in favor of the Union.
A smaller group of temporary workers also voted at the urging of the Union, although their ballots were contested by the Company. A decision will be made by the NLRB Regional Director whether or not to count their votes.... Read More