Maine Legislature to Consider Lineworker Safety Act
The parents of Brent Churchill, a member of this local who died tragically while restoring electrical power after a storm in 1999, have worked with their local legislator, Representative Walter Gooley of Farmington, to propose legislation they hope will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The draft of the language for the bill (LD 869) became public on Wednesday, February 14.
Some of the provisions in the bill are similar to conditions IBEW Local 1837 negotiated Central Maine Power following Brent's death. This bill, however, would cover all lineworkers in Maine, not just those... Read More
Maine Members Testify At Lineworker Safety Hearing
Thirteen members and one family member attended the legislative hearing on March 8, 2001 at the Maine State Capitol. Seven of them gave oral and written testimony in support of the bill. Below is testimony from some of them.
Jane Allen
Dale Blethen
Joan Blethen
Bob Dodge
Dana Hayes
Bob Reed
Jane Allen's Testimony
Senator Ferguson, Representative Savage, Honorable Committee Member:
My name is Jane Allen and I am a resident of West Gardiner. I am here to speak in support of LD 0869 and to urge you to pass the "Lineworker Safety Act."
I am employed as a dispatcher for Central Maine Power... Read More
Press Release Concerning The Purchase of CMP Energy East
For Immediate Release:
Utility deregulation continued to unfold this morning with the surprise announcement of the purchase of CMP by Energy East. Union workers have known that the current maneuvering of forces in the newly deregulated industry meant this could happen, but this particular deal was as much a surprise to the union as to the general public.
The IBEW 1837 contract for union workers will remain in force until May 1, 2000. But from union members' point of view this will add considerable stress to their lives until things are settled. The deal could close just as the contract... Read More
IBEW Members Picket CMP Annual Meeting
Rainy weather and short notice wasn't enough to stop twenty-plus IBEW members from turning out to picket the CMP annual meeting on May 21. Although the circumstances could have caused these workers to blame each other for their situation, they decided to band together and point their fingers at the company who is pulling the strings.
According to Bob Ward of Local 104, "We wanted to bring our situation to the attention of the stockholders – to have our side heard."
The situation Ward is referring to has apparently been brewing for some time. Ward explains that CMP Group, through it's... Read More
IBEW Members Picket CMP Annual Meeting
Rainy weather and short notice wasn't enough to stop twenty-plus IBEW members from turning out to picket the CMP annual meeting on May 21. Although the circumstances could have caused these workers to blame each other for their situation, they decided to band together and point their fingers at the company who is pulling the strings.
According to Bob Ward of Local 104, "We wanted to bring our situation to the attention of the stockholders – to have our side heard."
The situation Ward is referring to has apparently been brewing for some time. Ward explains that CMP Group, through it's... Read More
Landmark Agreement with CMP Protects and Adds Union Jobs
February 12, 2014 - IBEW Local 1837 and Central Maine Power have reached a landmark two-year settlement agreement that creates new union positions, sets base line staffing levels in each of the classification groupings, provides certain protections against layoffs, and creates new overtime opportunities in areas that are using DLI contractors. This wide-ranging agreement suspends a pending arbitration case over CMP’s use of contractors while preserving the Union’s right to grieve and arbitrate the present and future use of them.
“It took hard work and good faith on both sides of the table to... Read More
New IBEW 1837 Members at CMP Call Center Approve Their First Contract
February 10, 2014 - Customer Service Representatives at the Central Maine Power Call Center in Augusta have ratified their first union contract with the Company. An overwhelming majority of the 46 CSR’s voted late last week to accept the collective bargaining agreement negotiated between IBEW Local 1837 and CMP. The workers had voted to organize a union this past June.
 “It has been quite a process over the last eight months but I'm excited that the committee was able to negotiate an acceptable first contract,” said Joe Giuffrida, a Customer Service Representative and member of the Union... Read More
Members Ratify One-Year Contract Extension for NextEra Fossil Plants

November 27, 2013 - IBEW members working for NextEra Energy Resources at their Maine fossil plants have ratified a one-year contract extension. The collective bargaining agreement will run through February 28, 2015.
NextEra owns the oil-fired Wyman Station in Yarmouth and the much smaller oil-fired Cape Energy in South Portland. Both plants, which run primarily during times of peak demand for electricity, were put up for sale earlier this year. They are the only remaining NextEra facilities in Maine.
The approved contract extension includes a general wage increase of 3%, a signing bonus,... Read More
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
Union and Brookfield Agree on Reorganization Plan and Contract Extension
November 22, 2013 - IBEW Local #1837 has announced a final agreement between the Union and Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners officials on the company’s reorganization plans and a 4-year extension of the parties’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Early in September, Brookfield notified the Union of their intention to eliminate 21 out of a total of 51 positions at the hydroelectric dams they acquired from NextEra Energy Resources LLC late last year.
IBEW 1837 Assistant Business Manager Bill Dunn was joined by Chief Steward Ed Goodale and IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers for... Read More