New Granite Shore Power Contract Set for Ratification Vote

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.

While it is a completely new collective bargaining agreement, the Union negotiating committee worked very hard to maintain as many of the rights and benefits from the existing contract in the new agreement as it possibly could. The Union negotiating committee believes this agreement is the best package available at this time.

The Union negotiating committee was able to offer a union-sponsored health insurance plan that costs considerably less and offers a much higher level of benefits and it is part of the new contract. The three-year agreement includes wage increases of 2.75%, 2.5% and 2.75%. The Union Committee worked hard to preserve double time on Sundays or second day off. There are some small increases to other premiums like DIC, working over 16 or 18 hours and minimum call-in pay. The Company's 401(k) match increases to 4%.

Unfortunately, although the Union worked hard to include service prior to GSP ownership and all service will be recognized, there is still a significant reduction in termination pay. This will have an immediate impact on approximately 30 members working at Schiller Station, which is scheduled to close as the markets for generating electricity have been seeing dramatic realignment. The Union negotiating team worked hard on getting whatever they could for the members at Schiller Station. There is a separate agreement on a separation package for the Schiller Station employees. When people chose to take termination pay they no longer have call back rights should a job open up.

Granite Shore Power members will have an opportunity to review the complete contract package prior to the ratification vote.