May 28, 2010 (UPDATED) – After 19 bargaining sessions, negotiatiors for IBEW Local #1837 and Public Service Company of New Hampshire reached a tentative agreement early Thursday morning on a contract. The current collective bargaining agreement was set to run out at the end of this month.
If approved by the union’s membership at PSNH, the three-year contract would include a 3% pay increase per year for represented workers at New Hampshire’s largest utility. The tentative agreement includes a 10% / 25% cost-sharing formula for medical insurance. The straight eight hour day has been maintained, call-in premiums and rest time all remain unchanged, and there will not be a new storm rate.
During a meeting on Friday, the Company expressed some concerns regarding the language in the medical proposal. This caused a delay in the IBEW 1837 Negotiating Team’s preparation of a summary of contract changes for union members to review prior to voting. The Team hopes to begin distributing the summary on Wednesday, June 2. It will be accompanied by a ratification vote schedule including voting locations and times. Voting is planned to begin on June 7 and end on June 14. Updates will be posted on this website as they become available.