Aaron Gilman New E-Board Rep for Unit 10
April 3, 2015 -  Brother Aaron Gilman was sworn-in today as the new Unit 10 E-Board Representative at the Executive Board meeting in Manchester, Maine. Gilman was appointed by IBEW Local Union #1837 President Ray Colello to replace Brother Jeff Linscott who left the Bangor area to take a job in Fort Kent.
Gilman is employed by Emera Maine as a Lead Working Mechanic in Bangor. He began working at Bangor Hydro in 2006.
In the photo from left, Brother Gilman, Pat Cote, Lisa Bartell, President Ray Colello and Vice President Bill Tarallo administering the oath.
IBEW Members at NextEra Ratify Contract
March 25, 2015 - Members of IBEW Local Union #1837 at NextEra have ratified a new 44-month contract.  The collective bargaining agreement includes wage adjustments for some classifications, yearly wage increases for all union members, and a change to benefits. While the negotiating team struggled with the company’s offer, they felt it was the best they were going to be able to achieve.
“I want to thank everyone who was able to attend the meetings and understand the offer being presented.  I also want to thank the committee for the hard work they put in to realize the gains that were... Read More
Union Members at FairPoint Approve New Contract and Return to Work on Feb. 25
AUGUSTA, ME (FEBRUARY 22, 2015 UNION NEWS RELEASE)—After three days of voting, IBEW and CWA members in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont have ratified tentative agreements with FairPoint Communications. The new agreements protect good jobs and ensure quality telecommunications service for New England communities.
“This is great news for our members, their families, and our communities,” said Peter McLaughlin, chair of the union bargaining committee and Business Manager of IBEW Local 2327 in Maine. “Our members remained united and committed to this fight for more than four months and today we... Read More
FairPoint, IBEW, and CWA Reach Tentative Agreements
February 19, 2015 - BREAKING NEWS/UNION NEWS RELEASE: FairPoint Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRP); System Council T-9 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (AFL-CIO) Locals 2320, 2326, and 2327; and the Communications Workers of America (AFL-CIO) Local 1400 are pleased to announce that today they have reached tentative agreements on the terms for new collective bargaining agreements.
The Company and the Unions agree that the terms of their new collective bargaining agreements will address, in meaningful and constructive ways, the objectives of the parties and that the new... Read More
IBEW 1837 Welcomes New Office Manager Laurie Kelley as Debbie Owen Retires
December 18, 2014 - Laurie Kelley has become the new full-time Office Manager of IBEW Local Union #1837, working out of the Maine office in Manchester, Maine. Laurie succeeds longtime Office Manager Debbie Owen, who recently retired after nearly 35 years at the Local.
For many of our members, the Union Office Manager is the friendly and professional voice on the other end of the telephone. The Office Manager answers multiple lines in our Manchester, Maine office, frequently fielding urgent inquiries from members looking for help with a problem at work.
Among the other responsibilities of the... Read More
Portland Holiday FunkFest for FairPoint Strikers on December 22
December 12, 2014 — A lineup of some of Portland’s most prominent musicians is holding a “Holiday FunkFest for FairPoint Strikers” on Monday, December 22, at Empire music hall. The evening will be headlined by the eight-piece band Model Airplane. Adam Waxman and Joe Farrell and special guest Kenya Hall will also perform.
The announcement of the benefit concert at Empire marks the latest surge in public support for the FairPoint strikers. Since the strike began on October 17, the workers’ relief fund has received nearly $150,000 in donations.
“The community support we’ve received has... Read More
Support Striking Union Workers at FairPoint
November 1, 2014 - Although IBEW Local #1837 does not represent these workers, we are proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in their struggle for a fair contract.
A strike fund for workers at FairPoint is raising money to support members of IBEW and CWA with urgent financial needs. Show solidarity with your union brothers and sisters in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Every donation will be greatly appreciated. To contribute, make checks payable to IBEW-CWA Solidarity Fund and mail them to 21 Gabriel Dr, Augusta, ME 04330, or visit www.gofundme.com/ibew-cwa-strike-relief
These... Read More
Election 2014: Gubernatorial Contests are Top Labor Concern
October 22, 2014 - Re-election campaigns for the Governors of New Hampshire and Maine have been getting plenty of attention from members of IBEW Local #1837 and other pro-worker groups. New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan has been a consistent union ally while Maine Governor Paul LePage has supported union-busting “Right to Work” legislation. Both are seeking their second terms on Tuesday, November 4.
In recent letters to our represented members, IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers and President Ray Colello continued to stress that their top priority remains giving members the best... Read More
New 2-year Contract at Sea-3 Ratified
July 17, 2014 - IBEW 1837 members at Sea-3 have ratified a new, 2-year contract with an immediate 4 ½% wage increase. Sea-3 is a propane terminal facility in Newington, New Hampshire.
Union members agreed that Operators would assume extra duties that were previously performed by managerial staff and some represented members.  Those employees no longer work at Sea-3 and were not replaced by the Company. That portion of the agreement will terminate at the end of the contract term or if new employees are hired to fill those jobs.
The new collective bargaining agreement contains no other... Read More
IBEW 1837 Members Elect Union Leaders for 3-Year Terms
June 20, 2014 - Dick Rogers was re-elected as Business Manager/Financial Secretary and Ray Colello was re-elected as President of IBEW Local 1837 following a   mail-in secret ballot election. Ballots were counted today with Election Judge Cynthia Phinney helping to supervise the tally at our Union Local office in Manchester, Maine. She was aided in the count by Election Teller Bob McNeff.
Also re-elected to their posts were Vice President Bill Tarallo, Secretary Pamela Paquette and Treasurer Kerry Guptill. Re-elected to... Read More