April 24, 2012 – The Meter Representatives at Maine Public Service Company have unanimously decided that they would like to be represented by IBEW Local 1837 for collective bargaining.
All of the Meter Representatives at MPS indicated their interest in union representation by signing authorization cards after meeting with Business Manager Dick Rogers last Friday night in Presque Isle. In a phone call Monday morning with Gerry Chasse, President and Chief Operating Officer of Maine Public Service and Bangor Hydro Electric, the Union requested that the Company voluntarily recognize the new bargaining unit in order to commence negotiations as soon as possible. Later that day, the Company agreed to the Union’s voluntary recognition request.
“I want to thank Gerry Chasse for his quick response to this matter. We’re proud that the Meter Representatives decided to join us and we look forward to working with them,” IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers said.
The Meter Representatives sought union representation in order to a have a voice in their future at the Company.
“These workers were able to look at their Maine Public Service and Bangor Hydro Electric co-workers already in the Union and see that, over the years, IBEW members got a better deal from the Company through collective bargaining,” Rogers said. “They realized joining the IBEW was the right choice.”
There are already about 185 members of IBEW 1837 who work at MPS and BHE. They include classifications in the Customer Service Center, Electrical, Line and Meter departments. Prior to the Meter Service group at Maine Public Service, the most recently organized workers at the companies were the Bangor Hydro System Operators this past February and the Bangor Hydro Customer Service Center in the 1980’s.
“I know that all the members of IBEW 1837 will join me in congratulating the Meter Representatives and welcoming them into the Union,” Rogers continued.
Maine Public Service Meter Representatives “Sign Up” for IBEW 1837
