Eversource NH Field Techs & Specialists Vote "Union Yes"

June 1, 2016 - Field Technicians A/B/C and Field Technician Specialists working for Eversource in New Hampshire have voted in favor of being represented by IBEW Local #1837 for collective bargaining. There are currently 29 workers in the classifications. They are commonly referred to as “Writers” and are responsible for work associated with the design, maintenance, construction and operation of the Eversource electric distribution system in the Granite State.

The National Labor Relations Board election was conducted by mail because the Field Techs and Specialists work throughout the state in multiple locations. The ballots were tallied on Friday, May 28, 2016 at the NLRB Region One office in Boston with a clear majority voting in favor of the Union. Work will begin soon on contract negotiations for these Eversource employees.

“We’re planning to get to work on bargaining for this group as soon as possible,” said IBEW 1837 Assistant Business Manager Tom Ryan. “We’ll be working with the Writers to select contract team members and to review contract proposals before we sit down at the table with the Company. Since the Writers voted to be included in our existing bargaining unit, it should help to streamline the negotiations and allow us to reach an agreement for them to consider relatively quickly.”

IBEW Local #1837 already represents more than 400 workers at Eversource in their Generation and Utility divisions. The Writers will be included in the Utility collective bargaining unit once they have ratified their first contract.

“This is an exciting victory for the Writers and for our Union,” said IBEW 1837 Business Representative and Organizer Matt Beck. “We appreciate them giving us the opportunity to negotiate an agreement that will improve their jobs and future with the Company. We’d also like to express our gratitude to our members and Shop Stewards who took the time to support this campaign in a number of different ways, including having conversations with the Writers about IBEW.”