Maine Public Service Members Ratify New Contact and Agreement is Merged with Bangor Hydro
October 2, 2013 – IBEW members at Maine Public Service (MPS) have ratified a new contract with an average wage increase of 8.8% over two years. The agreement also includes improvements in overtime, call-out, standby, and system emergency pay as well as a number of other improvements. The contract is an addendum to the collective bargaining agreement the Union already has with Bangor Hydro (BHE), also owned by Emera, Inc.
The contract represents the integration of the agreements at the two companies.
“I’m pleased that the overall contract is better in virtually every way... Read More
Unitil CED Electric System Operators Ratify First Contract Accord
August 8, 2013 - The Electric System Operators at Unitil Service Corporation's Centralized Electric Dispatch (CED) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement.
A majority of the workers had voted last September to be represented by IBEW Local #1837 in a secret ballot election administered by the National Labor Relations Board.
"We're pleased that the System Operators have ratified their first contract," IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers said. "Our Union Negotiating Team all thought it was a good agreement and had recommended its passage."
The... Read More
NU Call Center Workers Lose Union Election
July 31, 2013 - Customer Service Representatives at the Northeast Utilities Call Center have lost their bid to join the Union by a 55 - 93 vote.  A secret ballot election was conducted by the National Labor Relations Board after a long, contentious campaign marred by unfair labor practice charges against the Company.
In spite of Company threats, interrogations, and creating the impression that employees were under surveillance as a result of their support for the Union, nearly 40% of the Customer Service Representatives voted to be represented by IBEW Local #1837.
Some 150 women and men... Read More
New 5-Year Deal Ratified at Black Bear Hydro
July 12, 2013 - IBEW Local 1837 members at Black Bear Hydro Partners, LLC have approved a new 5-year contract that includes wage increases in each year alongside a gradually-increasing cap on the medical insurance contribution rate for employees. The ratification vote took place at the company’s headquarters in Milford, Maine.
The agreement also includes an increase in the Company’s 401(k) contribution, and an increase in the annual boot allowance and the addition of an annual allowance toward a work Carhartt jacket or work bibs.
“I’m pleased that our members at Black Bear Hydro have approved... Read More
Union Members at PSNH Ratify New 4-Year Contract Agreement
June 10, 2013 – Members of IBEW Local #1837 in both Utility and Generation at Public Service Company of New Hampshire have approved a new 4-year contract agreement with the Company. The contract calls for an 11¼% (3, 2.75, 2.5 & 3%) wage increase over the term of the agreement with cash bonuses for the workers in each of the first two years.
“While it certainly wasn’t everything we wanted, the Committee worked hard to get the best deal possible,” said IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers.
A particular challenge for Union negotiators was the Company’s determined stance that employees of... Read More
NLRB Issues Complaints Against NU Call Center for Unfair Labor Practices
June 6, 2013 - Customer Service Representatives at the Northeast Utilities Call Center trying to organize a Union have been repeatedly subjected to policies and practices that violate their rights under the National Labor Relations Act, leading the Regional Director of Region One of the National Labor Relations Board to authorize issuance of complaints against the Company.
More than 150 women and men in the job classification work at the Manchester, New Hampshire facility, answering calls about billing and service for several NU companies including Public Service Company of New Hampshire and... Read More
Union Confident CMP Augusta Customer Service Representatives Have Won NLRB Union Election
June 5, 2013 - Customer Service Representatives at the Central Maine Power Company Call Center in Augusta voted today to decide if they wanted to be represented by IBEW Local #1837 for collective bargaining. In a secret ballot election administered by the National Labor Relations Board, a majority of the 42 employees on the eligible voter list voted in favor of the Union.
A smaller group of temporary workers also voted at the urging of the Union, although their ballots were contested by the Company. A decision will be made by the NLRB Regional Director whether or not to count their votes.... Read More
CMP Fiber Microwave Techs Vote for Union in NLRB Election Victory
April 26, 2013 - Fiber Microwave Technicians at Central Maine Power voted 5 - 1 to join IBEW Local Union #1837. With the union win in the NLRB secret ballot, these six workers will become part of the largest existing bargaining unit at CMP along with hundreds of other IBEW members.
"We're very pleased with the election outcome," Fiber Microwave Tech Bob Craig said. "We were strong for the union from the start, and despite numerous anti-union meetings, we became stronger."
The Fiber Microwave Techs are responsible for the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of CMP's fiber-... Read More
The Current Newsletter - Fall 2012
Featuring these headline stories and more:
IBEW 1837 Members Ratify Contract at NH Electric Co-op and Avoid Strike
Unitil Electric System Operators Vote to Join IBEW Local 1837
New 6-Year Contract for IBEW 1837 Members at Unitil Energy Systems
Maine Public Service Meter Representatives Ratify 1st Contract
Labor 2012: Another Important Election for Union Members
Union’s AMI Arbitration “Victory” at CMP Was a No -Win Case for IBEW 1837
The Current Newsletter - Spring 2012
Featuring these headline stories and more:
Bangor Hydro System Operators Win IBEW Vote
NU Call Center Workers Look to Join IBEW 1837
Maine Public Service Meter Reps “Sign Up” for IBEW
Unitil and NHEC Contract Negotiations
IBEW 1837 Retirees Wanted for Rapid Response Team