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 expires, which would leave the union bargaining with a brand new company and no work experience with them.

IBEW 1837 has had reasonably good relations with CMP over the years, though that has deteriorated somewhat recently due to problems with CMP's non-union wholly-owned subsidiaries. The union is hopeful that those problems can be resolved before this deal is finalized.

Though the new company is mostly unknown to the union, local 1837 will be looking into the company's practices and labor relations and seeking to forge a relationship with them that will ensure the security of the workers involved.