Business Manager Tony Sapienza
AFL-CIO Bus Tour Coming to Maine 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. |
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.” |
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. |
“Right to Work” Bills Threaten Union Members in ME, NH Two “Right to Work” (RTW) bills have reemerged in Maine and New Hampshire, potentially undermining the strength of labor unions that protect workers’ wages, benefits, and rights. In Maine, the Legislature will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 12, on a bill that aims to weaken collective bargaining. Meanwhile, across the border, New Hampshire lawmakers are set to vote on a similar measure on Tuesday, February 13. Maine “Right to Work” Bill – (LD187) |
Versant Lineman Named Steward of the Year IBEW Local 1837 member Greg Middleton, a first-class lineworker at Versant Power, has been selected as the 2024 Shop Steward of the Year by a special committee at the Maine AFL-CIO. Middleton received his award at the upcoming COPE Convention Awards Banquet on Thursday, June 27, in Auburn. He was nominated for the award by members of IBEW Local 1837. |
1837 Members, Retirees Help Defeat “Right-to-Work” Bills in NH IBEW Local 1837 members and retirees played a crucial role in defeating the two pieces of harmful, anti-union legislation - one in the New Hampshire House and one in the New Hampshire Senate. |
Seacoast Mental Health Professionals Vote for Representation In March, mental health professionals at Seacoast Mental Health voted in favor of representation by IBEW Local 1837. The vote, with a decisive count of 13 to 2, signals a strong desire among these professionals for fair treatment and collective advocacy in their workplace. The therapists at Seacoast Mental Health play a crucial role in providing mental health services to residents of the eastern half of Rockingham County, New Hampshire. |
"Right-to-Work" defeated in NH House Updated March 1, 2024 -- The so-called "Right-to-Work" bill died in the New Hampshire House thanks to support from union members across the Granite State. In late-February, the House voted 212 to 168 to "indefinitely postpone," HB1377-FN. This defeat comes after union members and allies delivered passionate testimony against the anti-worker legislation during two public hearings in Concord in early January and early February.
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Postal Pickets to preserve timely mail delivery February 23, 2024 -- This Saturday, February 24th, Postal Workers (APWU) and community members will be holding informational pickets in five communities in the Bangor area. This solidarity action is in response to a USPS proposal that would delay mail deliveries for USPS customers in Northern and Central Maine. Click here to read more about this plan and the potential impacts. |
Companies Playing The Role of Parents - Attack on TobaccoThere seems to be a new move afoot in the corporate world to enter the realm of controlling the personal health practices of employees. IBEW 1837 first saw this when Bangor Hydro (BHE) announced the implementation of a new “tobacco-free workplace” policy that covered not only smoking but also the use of smokeless tobacco products. |
December 2009 IBEW and NHEC Reach Agreement on Terms of Upcoming LayoffDecember 8, 2009 – International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 1837 and the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) have reached an agreement on the Company’s forthcoming layoff, thereby averting a looming court fight. The Union withdrew their application for a temporary injunction in the U.S. District Court in Concord, New Hampshire. |
Contract Extension Approved at UnitilJanuary 19, 2010 - IBEW Local 1837 and Unitil Energy Systems have agreed to a two-year contract extension. The current collective bargaining agreement was due to expire May 31, 2010. On January 14, 2010, the IBEW members at the Company approved the extension which left the hours, terms, and working conditions unchanged. Members agreed to a 2% wage increase effective May 30, 2010 and an additional 3% wage increase effective May 29, 2011. |
141 Jobs at CMP on the Line at PUC HearingJanuary 15, 2010 - The Maine Public Utilities Commission is set to hold a crucial public hearing on Wednesday, January 20 at 5:30 p.m. that may well determine the fate of 141 workers at Central Maine Power Company and have an impact of CMP’s customers for years to come. Union members and their allies are being encouraged to turnout to show support for union workers at Central Maine Power. The hearing will be held at the PUC offices at 101 Second St., Hallowell, Maine. |
CMP Contract Vote Postponed While Crews Work to Restore PowerFebruary 26, 2010 - Around 650 IBEW members at Central Maine Power will have to wait a few more days to vote on a new contract offer. The vote originally scheduled for Friday, February 26 was postponed for a few days while CMP crews kept busy fixing down power lines. “Because of the storm, we will have members that will be deployed to various work locations,” said Bill Dunn, IBEW 1837 Assistant Business Manager. “Because of that, we have rescheduled the ratification vote for a new contract until next Tuesday, March 2.” |
IBEW 1837 Reaches Tentative Agreement for New Contract at CMPFebruary 22, 2010 - The Union Negotiating Team at Central Maine Power has reached a tentative agreement for a contract for 650 workers at Maine’s largest utility. Prior to negotiations on Thursday, February 15, it had been nearly six months since the last bargaining session between the parties. During that time, three other Iberdrola USA companies settled contracts with their respective unions. |
Maine PUC Approves AMI System at CMP; 141 Jobs Will Be Lost – Many IBEW 1837 MembersFebruary 1, 2010 - The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will be issuing an order for Central Maine Power Company to move forward with their Smart Grid Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) initiative. The PUC held deliberations on the AMI case on February 1, and all three commissioners agreed that CMP had done a good job at working toward and achieving 50% of the funding for their proposed system through a federal stimulus grant. The commissioners believe that the system will produce benefits for customers that will outweigh the costs. |