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, and an additional equity increase for some job classifications. Importantly, the Union was able to strengthen the successor clause language that ties the contract to any future owner of the plant assets.

“Although some uncertainty remains about the future and who may eventually purchase the fossil assets from NextEra, our members are generally pleased with the terms of the extension and the knowledge that any future owner will be bound by the terms of this agreement,” IBEW Assistant Business Manager Bill Dunn said.

In addition to Brother Dunn, the Union Bargaining Team included Chief Steward Peter Brennan and IBEW Local #1837 President Ray Colello. More than 40 members of the union are employed by NextEra in Maine.