Organizing

Customer Service Representatives at the Northeast Utilities Manchester Call Center are making a bid to join IBEW Local 1837, but Company representatives are pulling out the stops to try to thwart the campaign. More than 150 employees at the Center take customer calls for PSNH, Connecticut Light and Power and Western Massachusetts Electric, answering calls about billing and service for the electric utilities owned by N.U.

February 17, 2012 - The System Operators at Bangor Hydro Electric Company have unanimously decided that they would like to be represented by IBEW Local 1837 for collective bargaining. These highly-skilled workers are also commonly known as “Dispatchers.”

All of the System Operators at BHE indicated their interest in union representation by signing authorization cards which were subsequently submitted to the National Labor Relations Board. The Union has requested that the Company voluntarily recognize the new bargaining unit and commence negotiations as soon as possible.

March 29, 2012 – In a secret ballot election last night administered by the National Labor Relations Board in Bangor, the System Operators at Bangor Hydro Electric voted 8 – 0 to be represented by IBEW Local 1837 for collective bargaining. These highly-skilled workers are often referred to as “Dispatchers.”

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.  

August 2, 2012 - A majority of the Electric System Operators at Unitil Service Corp., Inc. in Portsmouth, New Hampshire have decided that they would like to be represented by IBEW Local 1837 for collective bargaining.

The System Operators indicated their interest in union representation by signing authorization cards that were submitted to the National Labor Relations Board. As a result of the Union's petition and the Company's refusal to voluntarily recognize the Union, the NLRB has scheduled a secret ballot election on Wednesday, September 5 in Portsmouth.

August 17, 2012 - After only two bargaining sessions, Union and Company Negotiating Teams have inked a tentative agreement on a first contract for the recently-organized Meter Representatives at Maine Public Service Company (MPS).

September 6, 2012 - The Electric System Operators at Unitil Service Corporation's Centralized Electric Dispatch (CED) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire have voted to be represented by IBEW Local 1837 for collective bargaining. A majority of the workers had indicated their interest in joining the IBEW by signing union authorization cards in July.

December 6, 2012 - Recently organized workers at Unitil's Centralized Electric Dispatch (CED) in Portsmouth will be receiving back pay as the result of unfair labor practice charges filed by IBEW Local 1837, and a settlement agreement between the National Labor Relations Board, Unitil Service Corporation and  the Union.

March 13, 2013 - More than 150 Customer Service Representatives at the Northeast Utilities Manchester, New Hampshire "Customer Experience Center" will vote next month on whether they will be represented by IBEW Local 1837 for collective bargaining. Company representatives have already started their campaign against their workers forming a Union.

April 16, 2013 - Fiber Microwave Technicians at Center Maine Power Company are the latest group of workers seeking to have union representation from IBEW Local Union #1837. A secret ballot election will be held on Friday, April 26 to include these six workers in the largest existing bargaining unit at CMP.

April 26, 2013 - Fiber Microwave Technicians at Central Maine Power voted 5 - 1 to join IBEW Local Union #1837. With the union win in the NLRB secret ballot, these six workers will become part of the largest existing bargaining unit at CMP along with hundreds of other IBEW members.

"We're very pleased with the election outcome," Fiber Microwave Tech Bob Craig said. "We were strong for the union from the start, and despite numerous anti-union meetings, we became stronger."

June 5, 2013 - Customer Service Representatives at the Central Maine Power Company Call Center in Augusta voted today to decide if they wanted to be represented by IBEW Local #1837 for collective bargaining. In a secret ballot election administered by the National Labor Relations Board, a majority of the 42 employees on the eligible voter list voted in favor of the Union.

June 6, 2013 - Customer Service Representatives at the Northeast Utilities Call Center trying to organize a Union have been repeatedly subjected to policies and practices that violate their rights under the National Labor Relations Act, leading the Regional Director of Region One of the National Labor Relations Board to authorize issuance of complaints against the Company.

July 31, 2013 - Customer Service Representatives at the Northeast Utilities Call Center have lost their bid to join the Union by a 55 - 93 vote.  A secret ballot election was conducted by the National Labor Relations Board after a long, contentious campaign marred by unfair labor practice charges against the Company.

In spite of Company threats, interrogations, and creating the impression that employees were under surveillance as a result of their support for the Union, nearly 40% of the Customer Service Representatives voted to be represented by IBEW Local #1837.