IBEW 1837 News
-
The Union Negotiating Team during a break
arly in the bargaining process. Photo: Sue Ekola.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.”
Voting took place throughout last week at locations throughout New Hampshire and the ballots were counted Friday evening at the IBEW 1837 office in Dover, New Hampshire. The Union Negotiating Team did not offer a formal recommendation to IBEW 1837 members to approve or reject the agreement. While many members expressed satisfaction with the overall package, others were disappointed that some of the Company’s proposals remained in their final offer.
Members of IBEW Local #1837 employed at Eversource NH’s Generation assets are also affected by the ratified agreement. They voted in May of 2015 to extend their contract as the Company was moving ahead with the divestiture and sale of Merrimack Station, Newington Station and Schiller Station fossil fuel plants and their hydropower generating facilities. Those members agreed at that time to accept any general wage increases and benefit changes negotiated by the Utility Group. That divestiture process is now nearing completion.
Both groups of workers are set to receive a 3% wage increase in each of the next three years. Members in the Utility Group will also receive a 60 cents per hour wage revaluation prior to the first increase in effect as of June 4, 2017.
The new contract includes changes in the employee holiday schedule with the removal of the day after Thanksgiving and the addition of the Martin Luther King Day holiday as well as an additional floating holiday under the new agreement. There are also changes in the Company vacation policy.
A new disability plan will be put into effect during the term of the agreement. All new employees will be participating in the disability plan and incumbent members will have the one time option to opt into the new plan, or opt into the grandfathered plan during open enrollment in October 2017.Caps will put in place for the cost of employee health insurance benefits for the next three years.
Another significant change for many of our members is the transition from a straight 8-hour work day to an 8 ½-hour work day with a half-hour unpaid lunch period. The Union negotiated a delay in this Company-proposed change to June 30, 2018, to allow members to make necessary changes in their personal arrangements for childcare and other needs.
-
AT&T stores are located in
36 states and Washington, DC.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.
Please consider stopping by one of the picket lines in Maine or New Hampshire for a few minutes to lend your support. Click here to find picket locations and join them on the line!
-
Credit Specialists work around the state
to help collect overdue bills.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.
The Credit Specialists are often referred to as "Collectors" because their work in the Meter Department requires them to go door-to-door, collecting from customers whose bills are overdue. They also perform meter disconnects. Most of them work out of an Eversource office in Hooksett but others work out of the Area Work Centers in Keene, Tilton and Rochester.
IBEW Local #1837 already represents more than 400 workers at Eversource in their Generation and Utility divisions. The Credit Specialists will be included in the Utility collective bargaining unit once they have ratified their first contract.
“We're very pleased that the Collectors voted in favor of the Union by such a wide margin,” said IBEW 1837 Business Representative and Organizer Matt Beck. "Many of them worked for PSNH for many years and we're looking forward to having them as active members in our Union."
-
IBEW 1837 members and retirees attended
hearings in Concord on "Right to Work."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.
Everyone knew it would be a tougher sell in the House. Even though Republicans control that legislative chamber by a 226 – 173 margin, some of them are Union members or supporters of collective bargaining rights who recognize the true purpose of these union-busting bills. In the end, a total of 32 Republicans joined Democrats in the House and voted against “Right to Work.”
Hundreds of union members packed Representatives Hall at the State House in Concord for a public hearing on the bill before the House Labor Committee. Dozens of union members and allies from faith and community groups testified in opposition to it while only a handful of people testified in favor of “Right to Work.” Two IBEW 1837 members from Eversource testified in opposition: Rebecca Johnson, a Control Room Operator from Schiller Station, and Pat Moran, a Troubleshooter from the Hooksett AWC.
“To work beside someone who is enjoying the benefits I am paying for is not right and you know it,” Sister Johnson said, referring to “free riders” who are protected by the contract but choose to pay nothing in “Right to Work” states. “The bottom line is this bill is really not about paying dues so much as it is about splintering workers to their own corners and to take away hard fought benefits.”
-
Bob Burns in 2008. 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.
"Bob’s kindness, patience, the sparkle in his eye and his dedication to his family and the working people of Maine were always a pleasure to be around whether working phones for a phone bank, sharing a meal at an event, or hearing about something he was proud of that his children or grandchildren had accomplished," said Maine AFL-CIO President and IBEW 1837 member Cynthia Phinney. "He will be sorely missed."
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE in honor of Robert "Bob" Burns was scheduled for Saturday, January 14, at the South Lewiston Baptist Church, 1919 Lisbon Street, Lewiston. Viewing 9:00 - 11:00 A.M. Funeral Service follows at 11:00 A.M.
Click here to read the complete obituary that was published in the Sun Journal.
-
IBEW 1837 Asst. B.M. Tom Ryan, Field
Technicians Vaughn Taylor & Dan Pariseau
during a break in contract talks.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.
“I think it is a good agreement for the Field Techs and I’m pleased we were able to include them in our current contract with Eversource,” said Tom Ryan, IBEW 1837 Assistant Business Manager for New Hampshire. “We were able to maintain most of the benefits that our members enjoy.”
One of the biggest successes for the Union Bargaining Team was stabilizing and equalizing the pay rates for the classifications covered by the agreement. Under the new agreement, anyone that has been a Field Technician “A” for at least one year will be able to promote to Specialist upon successful completion of an exam. Formerly, there was only one Specialist per district and employees had to wait for an opening. Every Field Technician and Specialist received a wage increase to at least cover the cost of their union dues and most received more than that. Since the contract expires on May 31, it is likely that they will receive an additional wage adjustment upon ratification of the successor agreement.
-
Andrew Grant and Paul Reynolds seen
posing with their awards.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.
"We saw the truck was on its driver's side and was on fire," Brother Reynolds said. "There were secondaries (power lines) down there barking and arcing. (Then) we realized there was no one out of the vehicle yet!"
After Reynolds struggled at first to break the window with a gloved hand, Grant grabbed a set of pliers to smash it and pulled the man out before the truck was fully engulfed in flames.
"We were at the right place at the right time," Reynolds added.
As paramedics tended to the accident victim, Reynolds and Grant tended to the downed power lines to make the scene safe.
"We appreciate the acknowledgement but don't feel like any heroes," Brother Grant said.
-
September 12, 2016 - Local Unit Meetings have resumed after a summer break for members of IBEW Local #1837 throughout New Hampshire and Maine. The monthly meetings are an opportunity for our members to discuss issues affecting their jobs and their Union. In most cases, Union Business Managers, staff or elected officers will participate in the meetings. Members are welcome to attend any unit meeting although they can only vote in their home area units.Meetings may be postponed or cancelled in the summer months, during storms or on holidays. Please check with the Union Office, your Shop Steward or our website calendar before driving to a meeting.
Some meeting times and locations may have changed in recent months. Please check the list below or use the link to download and print a copy to post on your Union bulletin board.
