Business Manager Tony Sapienza
The Eversource NH collective bargaining agreement has been ratified by a razor thin majority of Union members at the Company. It is the policy of IBEW Local 1837 to not release the ballot totals but turnout was strong among union members at New Hampshire’s largest electric utility.
December 30, 2020 - At least one good thing has come out of a very bad year: Workers at the Kittery Water District have overwhelmingly ratified their first contract with IBEW Local #1837. The 15 workers at the water utility include office staff, filtration plant workers, laborers, meter readers, service technicians and others.
October 28, 2020 - Members of IBEW 1837 are required to adhere to safety measures that our represented companies have put in place to protect their employees during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Although the safety protocols including mandatory use of face masks vary from one employer to the next, and not all of our members support them or believe that they are necessary or effective, they must be followed nonetheless.
October 1, 2020 - After a career that started as a Summer Helper at Central Maine Power in 1979 and ended with a 9-year stint as Business Manager and Financial Secretary for IBEW 1837, Dick Rogers has retired. IBEW 1837 Assistant Business Manager Tony Sapienza will assume the Local Union’s top job.
“We work for the members,” Rogers said. “I always kept that in my mind. A number of people don’t realize the time that goes into doing this job, the time and the commitment. It is a 24/7 job because we have shift workers. I tried to return all calls and be a straight shooter.”
October 6, 2020 - The Eversource NH contract has been ratified by a razor thin majority of Union members at the Company. It is the policy of IBEW Local 1837 to not release the ballot totals but turnout was strong among union members at New Hampshire's largest electric utility.
October 1, 2020 - After a career that started as a Summer Helper at Central Maine Power in 1979 and ended with a 9-year stint as Business Manager and Financial Secretary for IBEW 1837, Dick Rogers has retired. IBEW 1837 Assistant Business Manager Tony Sapienza will assume the Local Union’s top job.
“We work for the members,” Rogers said. “I always kept that in my mind. A number of people don’t realize the time that goes into doing this job, the time and the commitment. It is a 24/7 job because we have shift workers. I tried to return all calls and be a straight shooter.”
September 21, 2020 - IBEW 1837 members at Granite Ridge have approved a 3-year contract extension with raises in each year and without any concessions.
Members voted on Friday, September 18th to approve the contract extension offer. That offer was the result of several phone conversations between IBEW 1837 Assistant Business Manager Tony Sapienza and Calpine North Central Regional Operations Vice President Chris Jones. Mr. Jones insisted this was the Company’s best offer at this time.
UPDATE: Unit 5, Keene and Unit 2, Manchester have been postponed due to a large number of union members working out of state doing restoration work. Unit 5, Keene will be held on August 24 and Unit 2, Manchester Area meeting will be held on August 18. Unit 6, Portland, Unit 7, Lewiston and Unit 9, Waterville have been cancelled. Nominations still can be made by email, U.S. mail, or at any other Unit Meeting.
July 14, 2020 - The long-term and likely permanent closure of Schiller Station in Portsmouth last month not only marked the end of 70 years generating electricity for the Granite State, but it was the end of the bargaining unit that played a pivotal role in the history of IBEW Local #1837.
May 29, 2020 - IBEW Local 1837 and Granite Shore Power have reached tentative agreement on a whole new contract. The Union and the Company have agreed to an extension of the previous agreement through June 1, 2020, in order to allow union members to conduct a ratification vote on the new contract.
IBEW Local 1837 represents a total of 80 members at Schiller, Newington and Merrimack Generating Stations in New Hampshire. These fossil fuel power stations were acquired by Granite Shore Power from Eversource NH as part of the legislatively-mandated divestiture agreement.
May 2, 2020, WEST GARDINER, ME – In the early morning of Wednesday, April 29, 2020, Jacqueline “Jackie” Marie Rogers lost a bravely fought battle with ovarian cancer. She spent her final weeks at home surrounded by loved ones, who, together, formed her care team. By her side, as he’d been since they were teens, was her high school sweetheart and devoted husband of nearly 40 years, Kenneth “Dick” Rogers, Jr.
April 6, 2020 - Central Maine Power President and CEO Doug Herlilng announced the passing of a company employee today who was also a member of IBEW Local #1837. Christopher Buzzard, a Line Clerk for CMP in Rockland, Maine, has died. Brother Buzzard, 51, worked for Maine’s largest electric utility for more than 13 years.
Herling sent the following message to CMP employees:
March 24, 2020 - IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers has announced that all April Unit meetings of our Union have been cancelled. The decision about holding meetings in May will be made at a later time.
March 17, 2020 - Workers at the Kittery Water District have formed a union with IBEW Local #1837. The 15 workers include office staff, filtration plant workers, laborers, meter readers, service technicians and others.
January 23, 2020 - Kevin O’Connell, a longtime member of IBEW Local #1837, First Class Lineworker at EmeraMaine and former Brewer mayor, has been nominated as the Democratic candidate for the House District 128 special election. The vacancy in that seat is a result of the passing of the late State Representative Arthur C. "Archie" Verow.
“I’m proud to carry on the legacy of service that was so important to Archie,” said O’Connell. “In him, we had a representative that represented the values of this city. I am committed to doing my best to be that person for Brewer.”
November 19, 2019 - Operating Technicians at WABI-TV in Bangor, Maine, ratified a new 2-year contract this week with raises of 2.5% each year and a $250 signing bonus. The starting pay rate for Operating Technicians was also increased.
October 16, 2019 - IBEW 1837 members at Emera Maine have ratified a 2-year contract extension that is contingent on the successful sale of the company to ENMAX of Calgary, Alberta. That proposed sale is currently being considered by the Maine Public Utilities Commission and may close over the next few months.
August 7, 2019 - Senate President Troy Jackson, Rep. Seth Berry, IBEW Local 1837 and Emera ratepayers held a press conference in Orono to share their concerns about the proposed sale of Emera Maine to ENMAX of Calgary, Alberta.
Mainers are worried about the proposed sale of Emera Maine to ENMAX and the impact it could have on Emera Maine’s workers as well as the ratepayers of Maine’s second largest electric utility.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local #1837 and Central Maine Power Company (CMP) have agreed to an extension of their staffing agreement that coupled with a staffing plan submitted to the Maine Public Utility Commission, includes a substantial increase in the number of workers employed at Maine’s largest electric utility.
January 28, 2019 - At a news conference at the Maine State House, Rep. Seth Berry, House Chair of the Energy and Utilities Committee, announced that he was submitting legislation to form a new consumer-owned utility.
September 26, 2018 - It’s all too common for some people to question the need for unions in 2018. “Unions had their place in days gone by but they’re no longer necessary,” they say. But don’t say that to Bill Brady at Brookfield’s Renewable Energy. Bill is one member of IBEW Local 1837 who clearly understands the value of union membership and having union representation in today’s workplace.
September 22, 2018 - IBEW 1837 members working for NextEra Energy at Maine’s Wyman Station ratified a 3-year contract extension earlier this week.
The idea of an extension to the collective bargaining agreement was initially proposed by Union Stewards at the oil-fired power plant. IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers brought the idea to the Company, who initially offered a 1.5% wage increase each year for three years with no other changes to the contract.
September 20, 2018 - IBEW 1837 members working for Sinclair Broadcasting Group’s Portland, Maine, television station ratified a new 3-year agreement this week after rejecting a previous offer from the company by a 37 – 5 margin and authorizing a strike. The overwhelming strike vote was the first at WGME-TV in 30 years and helped to persuade the Company to improve their wage offer beyond what they’ve been offering their other employees.
September 17, 2018 - Our Dear Friend, IBEW 1837 member and employee of Central Maine Power Kirsten Wooster’s daughter Hilary has been fighting a courageous battle with Ovarian Cancer. We continue to hope for a miracle that everything turns around and she becomes healthy and happy again.
September 4, 2018 - Meetings for members of IBEW Local #1837 resume this week after the usual summer break (except for Unit 6, Portland, which resumes in October). IBEW 1837 members are welcome at any unit meeting to discuss issues affecting their jobs and their union. There are also discussions about current events that affect working people and their unions.
August 28, 2018 - IBEW Local 1837 members employed by the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) are entitled to unemployment benefits for the time that they were on strike this May. That decision from the New Hampshire Employment Security Appeal Tribunal was handed down on Friday afternoon, August 24.
August 23, 2018 - IBEW 1837 members at Brookfield Energy’s Black Bear Hydro facilities in Milford, Maine, have ratified a new 5-year agreement.
The contract has wage increases every year – 2.75% in each of the first two years and 2.5% in each of the last three years.
Other featured improvements are a 6th week of vacation after 25 years, increased boot and meal allowances, and the pay for call-outs was increased from 2 hours to 4 hour minimums.
May 31, 2018 - IBEW 1837 members working for Unitil in New Hampshire have ratified new 5-year contract agreements that provide wage increases and other improvements in benefits.
A total of 38 members of IBEW Local 1837 work at two New Hampshire locations of Unitil Energy Systems, Inc. (UES): “Capital” in Concord and “Seacoast” in Kensington. They work as Lineworkers, Meter Mechanics, and some as Support Personnel. A second, smaller bargaining unit of five Electric System Operators work at Unitil Service Corporation's Centralized Electric Dispatch (CED) in Portsmouth.
May 17, 2018 - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union #1837 members at the New Hampshire Electric Co-op voted this morning to ratify a new 3 1/2 -year contract agreement and end their 10-day strike. The contract includes wage adjustments for some classifications, annual wage increases for all bargaining unit members and improvements in the retirement plans for union employees.
May 15, 2018 - More than 100 Union workers and members of the community are expected to gather together in Plymouth on Wednesday, May 16 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for a Community Rally to show support for the striking workers of the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative. The rally was set to take place outside the headquarters of the Co-op at 579 Tenney Mountain Highway in Plymouth.
IBEW Local 1837 is on strike at the New Hampshire Electric Co-op (NHEC). The Company is attacking our retirement plans and the right to bargain over possible changes to them.
We have begun collecting gift cards for our members for Hannaford Supermarkets and Mobil or Irving Gas (the most common stations in NHEC territory). Gift cards can be mailed to: IBEW Local #1837 (NHEC Strike Support), 680 Central Avenue, Suite 202, Dover, NH 03820.
Last week, union members in the largest bargaining unit at the New Hampshire Electric Co-op voted 79 – 1 to reject the company’s contract offer and authorize the IBEW Negotiating Team to call for a strike at the utility. Members in the smaller Warehouse bargaining unit also voted unanimously to reject the contract and authorize a strike. Union and Company negotiators met this morning but NHEC representatives refused to back off their demand that that they have the unilateral right to modify or eliminate 401(k) or pension plans without first negotiating with the Union.
March 5, 2018 - Two longtime activists of IBEW Local #1837 have recently retired from Eversource in New Hampshire, and have also left their positions on the Local's E-Board.
Pam Paquette has retired from Eversource/PSNH after 37 years at New Hampshire’s largest electric utility. Sister Paquette was active in her union for more than thirty years.
“The Local and I share the same beliefs – that the dignity of labor needs to be maintained and defended for all workers, regardless of gender, race or experience,” Pam said.
February 28, 2018 - IBEW Local #1837 members at Brookfield Renewable’s hydroelectric assets in Maine have ratified a new, 5-year contract. Members will see a 12.75% increase in wages over the term of the agreement while maintaining their level of benefits.
“This is a good contract,” said IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers. “The members will receive a wage increase similar to or even a little better than workers at other Brookfield hydro assets.”
In addition, minimum call-outs for members were increased to 4 hours for regular call-outs to 6 hours on holidays.
January 23, 2018 - IBEW Local #1837 Business Manager has appointed Anthony “Tony” Sapienza to be the next Assistant Business Manager from New Hampshire, effective June 1, 2018. Brother Sapienza will be succeeding longtime Assistant Business Manager Tom Ryan, who plans to retire on that date.
October 12, 2017 - After waiting for more than three years to find out who will take ownership of the electric generation assets of Eversource NH (formerly PSNH), IBEW 1837 members and New Hampshire ratepayers finally have their answer. The winning bidders of an auction were announced on October 12 in an Eversource filing with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (NHPUC).
September 29, 2017 - IBEW members working at Granite Ridge Energy in Londonderry, New Hampshire have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement to take them through the next three years. It’s the second contract for the union local with Calpine Corporation, a Houston-based generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with more than 80 power plants.
June 29, 2017 - Voting in locations throughout the Central Maine Power Company coverage area, IBEW 1837 members have approved a contract extension that guarantees them annual 3% wage increases while continuing all the terms and conditions of their current collective bargaining agreement.
There will be no changes in the contract whatsoever including the medical plans, medical caps, and retirement plans. The extended contract runs through April 30, 2021.
June 23, 2017 - IBEW Local #1837 has elected new union officers. Dick Rogers has been elected to a third 3-year term as Business Manager and Financial Secretary of the Local Union. Michelle Crocker was elected as President, succeeding Bill Tarallo who did not run for re-election.
June 13, 2017 - Members of IBEW Local #1837 employed by Eversource NH in the Utility Group have narrowly voted to ratify a new, 3-year contract agreement. Although the Union has a policy against publicly disclosing the exact voting tally, IBEW Local #1837 officials described the outcome as “extremely close.”
May 18, 2017 - Workers at AT&T in Maine, New Hampshire and across the country are set to go on because the company refuses to return to the bargaining table.
21,000 AT&T Mobility workers will be on strike if they do not reach an agreement with the company. They will walk off the job on Friday, May 19 at 3pm and return to work on Monday, May 22.
This greedy company makes huge profits but still wants more concessions from their union workforce - demanding more work for less and trying to replace them with low-wage workers at third party dealers and overseas.
April 14, 2017 - Seven Credit Specialists employed by Eversource in New Hampshire voted in Hooksett today in an election administered by the National Labor Relations Board. By a 6 - 1 margin, they voted to be represented by IBEW Local #1837 for collective bargaining.
February 20, 2017 - Members and retirees from IBEW 1837 joined with their union Brothers and Sisters throughout the Granite State and helped defeat a so-called “Right to Work” bill in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, 200 – 177. By doing so, the state’s Labor Movement overcame tremendous odds in thwarting a top policy priority of new Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who had GOP majorities in both bodies of the state legislature.
So-called “Right to Work” was narrowly approved by the Senate, 12 – 11, although its passage there was never really in doubt.
January 13, 2016 - Brother Robert "Bob" Burns, a beloved Central Maine Power retiree and IBEW 1837 member, passed away this week a few days after a tragic accident. He was 81 years old but had more energy than many people half his age.
Bob remained active in the labor movement and his local community after retirement and was loved and admired by many. Brother Burns was also one of the first members of the IBEW 1837 Retiree Club, and his photo graced literature promoting the group.
December 22, 2016 - Union and Company negotiators reached agreement this month on a first contract for the Eversource Field Technicians and Specialists. The agreement was ratified overwhelmingly by the Field Techs and is an addendum to the collective bargaining agreement for the Utility Group at New Hampshire’s largest electric utility.
September 29, 2016 - Two IBEW 1837 members working at Central Maine Power have received the highest commendation offered by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers after rescuing a man trapped inside a burning pickup truck after a crash.
It was an ordinary Thursday afternoon this past June that quickly turned extraordinary when CMP Lineworkers Andrew Grant and Paul Reynolds came upon a car/pole accident in Bridgton, Maine.
August 25, 2016 - Members of IBEW Local 1837 will spend a portion of "Labor's Day" weekend enjoying the company of their Brothers and Sisters from other local unions at exciting events throughout Maine and New Hampshire.
Starting with a BBQ and rally in Waterville, Maine, on Sunday, continuing Monday with celebratory breakfasts in Manchester, New Hampshire and Portland, Maine, and then spreading north throughout the Pine Tree State, workers will gather to listen to music and chow down on fine food all day long.
June 21, 2016 - Union members working at the Sea-3 propane terminal facility in Newington, New Hampshire have voted to ratify a 2-Year contract. Voting concluded Monday afternoon on the agreement which will run through June 30, 2018.
All terms and conditions in the previous contract will continue without change. The 10 members of the IBEW 1837 bargaining unit will receive wage increases of 2 ½% each year.
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.
May 9, 2016 - It has been five years since IBEW 1837 member Bob Amos was first diagnosed with end stage renal failure. In April 2010, he found out that he would need a kidney transplant.
Brother Amos started working for PSNH on St. Patrick’s Day in 2001. The 58-year-old Schiller Equipment Operator needs to undergo dialysis treatments three times per week. The Rochester, New Hampshire resident is now on the waiting list for the Maine Transplant Program at Maine Medical Center in Portland.