Legislative

"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.

 

IBEW 1837 Members Speak Out as Attacks on Unions Continue in the Granite State

January 23, 2012 - It’s a new year, but the same old story when it comes to an endless stream of union-busting legislation in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Lawmakers on the House Labor Committee listened to testimony from union members and their allies in opposition to several bills during public hearings on Wednesday, January 19, 2012. One of the bills would outlaw automatic dues deduction for union members and another would eliminate collective bargaining for all public sector workers – a bill even more extreme than what was rammed through in Wisconsin.

NH House Bill 1238 Would Force PSNH to Sell Their Generation Assets

February 7, 2012 - IBEW Local 1837 is in complete agreement with PSNH in their opposition to House Bill 1238, a bill that could affect 186 jobs for our members at generation facilities owned by the Company. These are good-paying union jobs, and many other non-union positions could also be impacted. As PSNH indicates in their flier distributed to employees . . .

IBEW 1837 Speaks Out at Maine Energy, Utility and Technology Committee Orientation Session

January 22, 2013 - IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers and Assistant Business Manager Bill Dunn joined spokespeople and executives from Maine's electric utility and generation industry for a special orientation session of the Maine Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology at the Statehouse in Augusta. Representatives of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the Maine Public Advocate'soffice and ISO New England also spoke or made presentations.

FMLA Celebrates 20th Anniversary But Many Workers Don't Know Their Rights

February 18, 2013 - The Family Medical Leave Act, most often known by the initials "FMLA," has been protecting the job security of workers facing a serious health concern of their own or the health condition of their spouse, parent or child for nearly 20 years, yet many workers know very little about it. You can download the employee book prepared by the Department of Labor if you click here or on the booklet at left.

Election 2014: Gubernatorial Contests are Top Labor Concern

October 22, 2014 - Re-election campaigns for the Governors of New Hampshire and Maine have been getting plenty of attention from members of IBEW Local #1837 and other pro-worker groups. New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan has been a consistent union ally while Maine Governor Paul LePage has supported union-busting “Right to Work” legislation. Both are seeking their second terms on Tuesday, November 4.

IBEW 1837 Members Play Important Role in Defeating NH "Right to Work" Bill

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. 

Lawmakers, Union Reps and Customers Express Concerns About Proposed Emera Maine Sale to ENMAX

August 7, 2019 - Senate President Troy Jackson, Rep. Seth Berry, IBEW Local 1837 and Emera ratepayers held a press conference in Orono to share their concerns about the proposed sale of Emera Maine to ENMAX of Calgary, Alberta.

Mainers are worried about the proposed sale of Emera Maine to ENMAX and the impact it could have on Emera Maine’s workers as well as the ratepayers of Maine’s second largest electric utility.

IBEW 1837 Member Poised to Serve in Maine Legislature

January 23, 2020 - Kevin O’Connell, a longtime member of IBEW Local #1837, First Class Lineworker at EmeraMaine and former Brewer mayor, has been nominated as the Democratic candidate for the House District 128 special election. The vacancy in that seat is a result of the passing of the late State Representative Arthur C. "Archie" Verow.

“I’m proud to carry on the legacy of service that was so important to Archie,” said O’Connell. “In him, we had a representative that represented the values of this city. I am committed to doing my best to be that person for Brewer.”

Sign Me Up for Labor 2008 with the Maine and New Hampshire AFL-CIO!

IBEW Local 1837 members are teaming up with our brothers and sisters from other AFL-CIO unions to fight for a brighter future for workers across the United States. Now is a great time to make your union voice heard loud and clear as we prepare to elect a new President as well as other representatives at the federal, state and local level. In fact, Maine and New Hampshire have been identified as two of the six “battleground states” with competitive races that could impact the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.

Legislative Update: RESPECT Act Seeks to Undo Damage Caused by NLRB Decisions

When the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued new guidelines in September of 2006, defining what constitutes a “supervisor” in the workplace, the three NLRB members appointed by President George W. Bush formed a majority that gave employers the weapon they needed to attack the eligibility of thousands of workers to belong to a union. Now, allies in the U.S.

Final Rallies for Employee Free Choice Act Held as U.S. Senate Vote Looms

Monday and Tuesday, June 18 & 19, local workers and labor and community leaders across Maine and New Hampshire gathered outside the offices of our U.S. Senators to call on them to vote for the Employee Free Choice Act -- legislation that would make it more difficult for employers to thwart workers’ efforts to form unions to bargain for better wages and benefits.

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