Business Manager Tony Sapienza
They don’t climb for crowds or spotlight. There are no grandstands or a roaring stadium. Just a field lined with rows of utility poles. Fellow lineworkers and families stand behind a rope as the sound of gaffs cut into wood. At the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas, lineworkers climb for pride, for the trade, and for each other.
It’s where skill, training, and years of mentorship are tested in a matter of seconds.
October 2025 marked the end of an era at WGME-TV (CBS 13) in Portland as the station’s long-time Operating Technicians saw their master control operations transferred from local control to a regional Media Operations Center (MOC).
For decades, these skilled technicians have been the heartbeat of the station, ensuring that every broadcast ran smoothly and every signal made it to air without interruption.
The campaign staff of U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner officially unionized with IBEW Local 1837 in mid-February by signing a collective bargaining agreement at the Local 1837 union hall in Manchester.
The IBEW Founders’ Scholarship honors the dedicated wiremen and linemen who founded the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Each year, the officers of the IBEW offer scholarships to working members on a competitive basis.
The scholarship is intended to support members’ personal development while helping to steward the electrical industry envisioned by our founders.
The IBEW is calling on all members to urge Congress to support H.R. 5475, the No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act — legislation that would make tax relief on overtime fair for every working person, including IBEW 1837 members.
The Maine AFL-CIO has published its 2025 Working Families Legislative Scorecard, which is an essential resource that shows how Maine’s state legislators voted on key labor issues.
Unit meetings for IBEW Local 1837 have returned after they were suspended for the summer months. You can find a printable flier here.
Nine members of IBEW Local 1837, representing Central Maine Power (CMP), Versant, Unitil, New Hampshire Electric Co-op, and Eversource, spent two days sharpening their skills and building solidarity at the Maine AFL-CIO Labor Summer Institute in Orono on August 13–14, 2025. They were joined by longtime IBEW 1837 members, State Representative Matt Beck of South Portland, and Maine AFL-CIO President Cynthia Phinney.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1837 held an informational picket outside Eversource headquarters on Wednesday, August 13. The demonstration drew attention to stalled negotiations for a first contract covering System Operators in the Electrical System Control Center and the System Operations Center.
The IBEW is sounding the alarm on President Trump’s recently signed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” warning that it poses a serious threat to working families across the country. In a letter to local unions, International President Kenneth W. Cooper called the legislation “irresponsible,” citing tax cuts for the wealthy, health care rollbacks, and the elimination of clean energy job incentives that have fueled significant IBEW job growth in recent years. Despite the bill’s name, Cooper made clear: “This new law will directly impact IBEW members and their families.”
A former member of IBEW 1837 was repeatedly denied job opportunities because of a mistake in the federal Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. Although he had resolved a past violation, the employer responsible for updating the record never submitted the correction. As a result, the Clearinghouse continued to show an unresolved infraction. Every time a prospective employer ran a background check, it appeared the issue was still active—and he wasn’t hired. Once the record was corrected, he was finally able to return to work.
Eversource Lineman Tom Eaton with International President Kenneth Cooper in Milwaukee, WI.
In early March, Linemen Tom Eaton (Eversource), Donny Palmer (Unitil), Greg Middleton (Versant Power), and Mechanic Wade Jandreau (Versant Power) represented Local 1837 at the IBEW National Safety Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Attending conferences and safety classes equips our members with the latest best practices—knowledge they can share locally to keep everyone safer on the job.
Members of IBEW Local 1837 at WGME-TV ratified a new three-year contract with Sinclair Broadcast Group, ending a difficult and drawn-out bargaining process that included multiple contract extensions, public pickets outside the TV station in Portland, and strong backing from community leaders and fellow union members across the state.
In a victory for labor unions and workers across Maine, the state legislature has defeated a so-called "Right-to-Work" bill in Augusta. An Act to Prohibit Labor Organizations from Imposing Mandatory Service Fees on Nonmembers (LD 187) aimed to weaken unions by allowing employees to opt out of paying dues while still benefiting from union-negotiated wages, benefits, and protections. Labor leaders warned that this “free rider” model would destabilize union funding and erode the collective power workers need to bargain effectively.
The latest drive for “right-to-work” in New Hampshire crashed into the brick wall of the state’s labor movement in February, as the IBEW and fellow unions overcame a huge Republican majority to defeat the bill for the 40th time.
"It was the heaviest lift of my career,” said state AFL-CIO President Glenn Brackett, former business manager of Manchester, N.H., Local 2320. “We started out 44 votes upside-down, and we ended up winning by 20.”
From campaign resources to member participation, Brackett said, the IBEW’s help was invaluable.
Two “Right to Work” (RTW) bills have reemerged in Maine and New Hampshire, potentially undermining the strength of labor unions that protect workers’ wages, benefits, and rights. In Maine, the Legislature will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 12, on a bill that aims to weaken collective bargaining. Meanwhile, across the border, New Hampshire lawmakers are set to vote on a similar measure on Tuesday, February 13.
Maine “Right to Work” Bill – (LD187)
Members of IBEW Local 1837 at WGME-TV (CBS 13) gathered near the television station in Portland in early December for an informational picket. The members, which include Photographers, News Producers, Directors, News Editors, Assignment Editors, Operating Technicians, Maintenance Engineers, and Creative Producers, are fighting for better pay and working conditions in their contract negotiations with Sinclair Broadcast Group.
IBEW Local 1837 represents a total of 46 members at Newington and Merrimack Generating Stations in New Hampshire. These fossil fuel power stations were acquired by Granite Shore Power from Eversource NH in 2018 as part of the legislatively mandated divestiture agreement. Schiller Station was also part of that sales agreement but is no longer operating. Newington and Merrimack provide critical sources of electricity to the ISO-New England electrical grid.
Stewards at Granite Shore Power: Adam Morin and Ezra Carr
IBEW Local 1837 members at Versant ratified a 3-year collective bargaining agreement in early July after federal mediation was brought in to help the Union and the Company bridge remaining gaps during negotiations. The contract includes significant improvements to wages, benefits, working conditions, and a key victory in protecting job security.
All classifications will see general wage increases of 4% in 2025, 3% in 2026, and 3% in 2027. In addition, several positions will see market adjustments.
IBEW Local 1837 member Greg Middleton, a first-class lineworker at Versant Power, has been selected as the 2024 Shop Steward of the Year by a special committee at the Maine AFL-CIO. Middleton received his award at the upcoming COPE Convention Awards Banquet on Thursday, June 27, in Auburn. He was nominated for the award by members of IBEW Local 1837.
There’s a familiar and friendly face serving constituents in Augusta. South Portland voters elected IBEW Local 1837 member Matthew Beck to represent them in the Maine House of Representatives for District 122.
IBEW Local 1837 was honored at the 17th Annual National Labor and Management Public Affairs Committee (LAMPAC) conference in Washington, D.C., for its successful efforts in protecting hundreds of union utility jobs in Maine.
In March, Assistant Business Manager, Renee Gilman, accepted the Edwin D. Hill Award, on behalf of the union. The award is named after the former IBEW International President who co-founded LAMPAC with the Edison Electrical Institute in 2007.
IBEW Local 1837 members and retirees played a crucial role in defeating the two pieces of harmful, anti-union legislation - one in the New Hampshire House and one in the New Hampshire Senate.
Three members of IBEW Local 1837 at WGME in Portland have been nominated for a New England Emmy Award in the category of "Best Newscast (Small Market)."
The nominations recognize the outstanding journalism work of News Producer and Steward Alison Murtagh, Chief News Producer Ted Homer, and Director Ethan Crooker, following the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston last October.
In March, mental health professionals at Seacoast Mental Health voted in favor of representation by IBEW Local 1837.
The vote, with a decisive count of 13 to 2, signals a strong desire among these professionals for fair treatment and collective advocacy in their workplace. The therapists at Seacoast Mental Health play a crucial role in providing mental health services to residents of the eastern half of Rockingham County, New Hampshire.
March 4, 2024 -- In late February, 12 members from IBEW Local 1837 participated in an intensive negotiations training session at Teamsters Hall 340 in South Portland, Maine. These members represented workers from companies including Central Maine Power, Versant Power, Eversource, and the New Hampshire Electric Co-op.
Led by educator Craig Duffy from the International Office (IO), the class aimed to equip union members with the essential skills to negotiate collective bargaining agreements effectively.
Updated March 1, 2024 -- The so-called "Right-to-Work" bill died in the New Hampshire House thanks to support from union members across the Granite State. In late-February, the House voted 212 to 168 to "indefinitely postpone," HB1377-FN. This defeat comes after union members and allies delivered passionate testimony against the anti-worker legislation during two public hearings in Concord in early January and early February.
In the world of long-distance running, completing a marathon is a remarkable feat. For Donald Palmer, a dedicated member of IBEW Local 1837 and a steward at Unitil, finishing his third marathon was not just a personal achievement but a profoundly meaningful experience.
Ryan Jackson's passion for golf is no secret among his fellow employees at WGME-TV in Portland, Maine.
When he's not in the control room coding and directing live broadcasts, you can bet he's out playing 18 holes at Riverside, a golf course near the station.
Twelve skilled workers at Lewis Tree in New Hampshire voted to accept their first contract in late-September 2023.
These employees won their union with IBEW Local 1837 back in January 2023 after expressing their dissatisfaction with the lack of benefits and fair pay being offered, especially when compared to other unionized units within the company.
The newly ratified contract includes an immediate 2.5% pay raise, followed by 3% raises in both 2024 and 2025.
IBEW Local 1837 members at Black Bear Hydro have unanimously ratified a 5-year contract, which includes a $5,000 signing bonus, increased wages, and other enhanced benefits.
In addition to the signing bonus, the contract features progressive pay increases over the next five years as follows:
- A 6% increase in 2023
- A 5% increase in 2024
- A 3.5% increase in 2025
- A 3.5% increase in 2026
- A 5% increase in 2027
Matt Beck, an IBEW Local 1837 member who recently retired from his role as a business representative and organizer, was honored with the Lifetime Working Class Hero Award by the Southern Maine Labor Council during the group’s Labor Day Breakfast on Monday, September 4th, 2023. Beck's commitment to labor causes and unwavering support for workers' rights earned him this respected recognition.
IBEW Local 1837 has appointed Kaitlyn Hegarty as its new Business Representative. Hegarty brings extensive experience in the media industry, having been a union member since 2011 when she joined WGME CBS 13 in Portland, Maine and served as a shop steward at the station.
With over a decade of experience in the broadcasting business, Hegarty worked as an award-winning Chief News Producer, contributing to thousands of live newscasts, breaking news events, and investigative stories. Her leadership in the newsroom made her a go-to person for co-workers' concerns.
In accordance with the laws of the United States, the Constitution of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and the Bylaws of Local 1837, the nomination process has concluded. Since only one member was nominated for each office, there were no contested positions that required a balloted election.
IBEW Local 1837's new office in Manchester, NH
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1837, which represents over 1,600 members throughout Maine and New Hampshire, relocated its New Hampshire office from Dover to Manchester in February 2023. The local will continue to maintain its primary office in Central Maine near Augusta.
There have been numerous watershed moments in the labor movement in Maine and New Hampshire, and for the past three decades – Matt Beck has been at the forefront for nearly all of them. From a contentious effort, which successfully stopped an attempt to bring “right to work,” to the Granite State in 2011 – to supporting his union brothers and sisters on the picket lines during the strike at the New Hampshire Electric Co-Op in 2018 – Beck has had his hand in numerous events through the years, in addition to countless organizing campaigns and contract negotiations.
File photo: Chief Steward Ed Goodale on dam in West Buxton in 2013.
February 22, 2023 - IBEW 1837 members at Brookfield have ratified a new 4-year contract agreement with annual pay increases for every member and additional vacation time for most employees. Voting took place on February 1 at multiple locations. The new agreement runs through February 28, 2027.
Members will receive an $8,000 ratification bonus and annual pay increases of 3%, 3.25%, 3.25% and 3.25%. The minimum straight-time call-out was increased to five hours and the contract establishes a two-hour straight-time call-out for solving issues over the phone after hours. Production Clerks and Production Assistants received a wage adjustment and progression pay was increased to $1 every six months, up from 50 cents every six months.
Employees with more than 30 years’ experience make up nearly half of the membership and they will receive an additional week of vacation. Employees will get three weeks of vacation after three years. New employees will no longer be required to wait three months to start accruing vacation or take paid holidays. Sick days are increased from six to eight per year and may be used in 4-hour increments for medical appointments.
“Before negotiations started, we talked to members at each location and the overarching themes were that we had to attract new people, keep the people that we have, and reward those who have been here a long time,” said IBEW 1837 Assistant Business Manager Renee Gilman. “That’s what we were trying to do, and we think we were able to do that.”
Kevin Young (second from left) joined by IBEW Lifesaving Award recipients Dan Morin, Steve Sager and Scott Madore. Cameron Bragg (not pictured) also received an award.
Versant Maine Members Use CPR and AED Skills to Help Save a Co-Worker:
Cameron Bragg, Scott Madore, Danny Morin and Steve Sager are Lineworkers from Versant Maine who performed lifesaving CPR measures on fellow IBEW 1837 member Kevin Young. Brother Young had suffered an apparent heart attack in Presque Isle on February 2, 2022 and was found crouched down in a snowbank on the side of the road. The actions of the four lineworkers have been recognized by the IBEW International Safety Department with Lifesaving Awards.
Brother Cameron Bragg told IBEW that it was an incredible coincidence that they had just received CPR training earlier that same morning, a training that they receive once every two years. Brother Young had gone ahead of the crew 10 minutes earlier and was shoveling snow around the base of a utility pole where the crew was set to work. When the crews arrived, they saw Young crouching down behind the snowbank.
“We hollered at Kevin and he didn’t move,” Bragg said. “I jumped out of the truck first and ran over and that’s when we noticed something was wrong.”
Brother Steve Sager told IBEW that while the crew began CPR assessments, he jumped on the two-way radio to ask dispatch to call 911 with their location. The approximately 15-minute wait for an ambulance seemed like an eternity.
“We continued CPR,” Sager said, “and as the ambulance crew arrived the paramedic asked, ‘What are you guys doing for compressions?’ and Cameron replied ‘30 to2.’ He said, ‘Great don't stop! You're doing great.’ We continued as the ambulance crew got setup and got a backboard for loading Kevin. The AED assessed and shocked Kevin six times. The paramedics loaded Kevin in the ambulance and they left shortly after that.”
After a few days, Brother Young was sending funny texts and photos to his co-workers from the hospital, and he was recuperating at home less than a week later. He soon returned to work on light duty to a warm welcome from everyone at Versant Maine.
“What they did out there was nothing short of amazing,” Danny Gahagan, a Presque Isle Firefighter and Paramedic said. “In almost 20 years of being in EMS, I have never arrived at a scene and was this impressed with the work being done.”
Central Maine Power Members Help Save Two People from Burning Building:
Adam Douin, Jeffrey Dyer, Carl Urquhart are CMP traveling Lineworkers out of Portland who literally rescued two people from a burning building in Richmond, Maine, on May 18, 2022. Their actions have been recognized by the IBEW International Safety Department with Lifesaving Awards.
“They definitely deserve recognition,” Richmond Fire Chief John Bellino told the Portland Press Herald. “It was very dramatic. They certainly went above and beyond.”
Brother Vaughn Bridges admires his new "IBEW retiree" pin presented to him by a member of the Local 1837's staff late last year.
January 9, 2023 - Vaughn Bridges has retired from Central Maine Power after an incredible 64 years working for Maine’s largest electric utility. The 86-year-old Service Worker 2/C had the longest tenure of any member of IBEW Local 1837 and apparently worked longer than anybody for any Avangrid affiliate.
“As far as I know, nobody from Spain, Japan or anywhere has worked as long,” Brother Bridges said. “When they were handing out service pins, that’s when they realized it.”
Starting out as a Meter Reader Apprentice in Bucksport in 1958, Bridges worked many jobs at CMP, moving to the Belfast Service Building around 1973 and up through the ranks, finishing his lengthy career in Belfast.
“I really loved my job and the people around me,” he said. “Everyone has been great. I have no complaints.”
Bridges is part of the CMP retirement wave at the end of November when higher interest rates were set to adversely impact the lump sum payouts on defined benefit pension plans. It just made good financial sense for him and dozens of other employees to retire at that point in time.
“It was time for me to go although I still would like to be working,” Bridges said. “It was a long time, but it went fast.”
Kittery Water District Service Technician Matthew Crosby casts his contract vote ballot in the District’s garage.
December 14, 2022 - IBEW 1837 members at the Kittery Water District have ratified a new 2-year contract agreement with improvements in wages and benefits and without any concessions. The District’s trustees, who actively participated in the negotiations along with the District Superintendent, must formally approve the agreement when they meet on December 21.
“We’re grateful to negotiating team members Linda Johnson, Matthew Crosby, and Brandon Woods for the time and effort they put into negotiating an excellent contract,” said IBEW 1837 Organizer and Business Representative Matt Beck. “To their credit, the Trustees recognized the value of their employees and wanted to ensure that the Kittery Water District continues to be an attractive place to work.”
IBEW 1837 Business Manager Tony Sapienza also participated in the contract bargaining along with Brother Beck.
The 2-year contract agreement includes $2.00 per hour wage increases in each year and maintains 100% health insurance coverage paid for by the Kittery Water District. Other improvements include larger longevity pay increases, increased boot allowances, new mileage and toll reimbursements for use of personal vehicles for District business and an additional personal day added to recognized holidays.
The 15 workers at the Kittery Water District include office staff, filtration plant workers, laborers, meter readers, service technicians and others.
June 30, 2022 - IBEW 1837 members at Sea-3 approved a two-year contract in June with 5% wage increases each year, July 2022 and July 2023. The agreement includes Sunday premium increases to $10 per hour and boot allowance increases to $150 per year. There are no changes to the health plan and the cost sharing.
The sick plan is changing to a personal day plan. There will also be a transition from the existing pension savings plan into the union-sponsored National Electrical Annuity Plan.
IBEW 1837 members at CBS affiliate WABI-TV approved a new 18-month agreement with 2½% increases in January 2022 and in January 2023. Some members also received wage adjustments.
“I’m grateful to Assistant Business Manager Renee Gilman for her assistance during these negotiations as well as union member Jordan Verge from WABI-TV,” said IBEW 1837 Organizer and Business Representative Matt Beck.
Nearly 8 million new jobs have been added to the U.S. economy since the end of 2020.
President Joe Biden electrified the IBEW Convention in Chicago on May 11, drawing thunderous cheers for infrastructure
Good job opportunity at Kennebec Valley Community College for a retired lineworker or anyone with that skillset. More information and contact info in this link: CLICK HERE
IBEW Local #1837 have been nominated and selected to serve as delegates to the International Brotherhood of
International Convention in Chicago: IBEW 1837 Business Manager Tony Sapienza, IBEW 1837 President Michelle Crocker, IBEW 1837 Organizer/ Business Representative Matt Beck, IBEW 1837 Vice Pres. Bob McNeff, E-Board Rep Kitty Kilroy, and retiree Bill Tarallo. Since the number of nominees was equal to the number of delegates for our Local, there will not be a n election held for those seats.
Companies with employees represented by our Union have developed and revised policies related to safety protocols for COVID-19 since the early days of the pandemic and in recent months with the spread of the Delta Variant. Before the introduction of emergency use authorization vaccines, most of the policies concerned vehicle sharing, masking, testing, working remotely andmaintaining 6-ft. social distancing indoors at company facilities.
April 20, 2022 - IBEW Local Union #1837 members at the electric utility serving a large swath of northern and eastern Maine have approved a two-year contract extension offer with pay increases for all classifications and no change in their health insurance premiums or other benefits for the term of the extension.
March 4, 2022 - Kitty Kilroy has been appointed as a new Business Representative for IBEW Local #1837. Sister Kilroy will have many responsibilities including staffing our Dover, New Hampshire office, following the retirement of Sue Ekola, our secretary for the past 24 years.
“I’m proud to work for the union. I’ve always been honored to be asked to represent people and proud that people have faith in me,” Kilroy said. “I look forward to putting our members first and helping them fight the good fight.”