IBEW 1837

The National AFL-CIO’s Bus Tour for Freedom, Fairness and Security is making its way across the country and will stop in Maine next week as part of the run-up to Labor Day. These events are an opportunity to hear directly from workers about the challenges they face and the importance of collective action. Both events are free and open to all who support labor and workers. Registration is requested.
Two stops are scheduled:

Tuesday, August 26 -- Brewer
11:00 a.m. news conference followed by lunch
Solidarity Center, 20 Ivers Street
Register for Brewer

Wednesday, August 27 -- Jay
5:00 p.... Read More

Strong IBEW 1837 Showing at Summer Institute

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.
Hosted at the University of Maine’s Wells Conference Center in partnership with the UMaine Bureau of Labor Education, this year’s Institute focused on shop stewards -... Read More

Eversource NH Operators Picket for Contract

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.
These operators, who oversee the transmission and distribution electric grids across Eversource’s New Hampshire service territory, voted to join IBEW in late 2023. After lengthy hearings, the National Labor Relations Board confirmed their eligibility for... Read More

IBEW Sounds Alarm on 'Big Ugly Bill'

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.”
Among the most damaging... Read More

Protect Your CDL: Check Your Record

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.
This case underscores an important truth: even if you’ve done everything... Read More

Form 173 Reporting Officer Appointed

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.
Following the conference, Business Manager Tony Sapienza appointed Tom Eaton as Local 1837’s Form 173 Reporting Officer.... Read More

WGME-TV Workers Secure Contract

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.
The new agreement provides wage increases for all union members—at least 4–7% in the first year—followed by an additional 4% over the next two years. It also includes retroactive pay dating back to late 2024, putting earned money back in members’ pockets after... Read More

Unit Meetings Suspended for Summer Months

Unit meetings for IBEW Local 1837 are temporarily suspended for summer months following a vote by the members of those respective units. Unit 8 in Augusta, however, will hold its regular June meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in Manchester, Maine, at the IBEW Local 1837 Office, Conference Room.
Below is each unit’s regular meeting pattern, next dates in September and October 2025, and locations.
Unit 1 (Dover, NH)

Meetings suspended until October 2025
Regular Schedule: Fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:00 p.m.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Location... Read More

Maine Legislature Rejects Anti-Union Bill

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.
On May 7, 2025, the Maine House of Representatives voted 76–64... Read More

IBEW Helps Lead Way to 40th Defeat of NH ‘Right-to-Work’ Bill

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.
“The IBEW Second District really carried the day,” he said. “... Read More

IBEW 1837 Features