“What a long, strange trip it’s been” those were the words from the old rock song that best described the past year for Local 127 President Harold Giberson. 

As was previously reported, President Giberson was dismissed by Pacificorp, the employer of the members of Local 127, for personally intervening in a rate case then before the Wyoming Public Utility Commission.  Local 127 and President Giberson opposed the proposed rate increase request put forward by Pacificorp as being unnecessary and too excessive of a burden on the consumers of electrical power within the state of Wyoming.  PacifiCorp, for its part, cited the reason for Giberson’s dismissal as being a violation of a contract clause dealing with “employee loyalty”.  Over the many months leading up to Harold’s discharge grievance arbitration hearing the members rallied around their Union and President.  A strong, cohesive group emerged finding that through unity and concerted efforts, PacifiCorp would not be allowed to run rough shod over them and that the member’s voices would be heard.  Ultimately, the arbitrator ruled on favor of the Union and ordered Harold’s reinstatement.  Within 20 days after returning to work, President Giberson, on behalf of Local 127, intervened in another Pacificorp rate increase request.  That action brought a most unlikely outcome.  Several days following this intervention, President Giberson received a call from PacifiCorp’s CEO requesting a meeting.  The meeting was held and the outcome was an offer by Pacificorp for a five-year extension to the Local’s current contract.  The proposed contract called for wage increases in every year of the extension and included a very modest increase in employee health care deductible in the first year of the extension, which is two years out.  Harold reported to the UWUA “E” Alert Team that the contract extension was recently overwhelmingly accepted by the membership. 

President Giberson wanted to extend his gratitude to the members, officers and stewards of Local 127 for the help they provided in explaining the events leading up to the extension offer, the meetings detailing all the proposals provisions and the memberships ultimate acceptance of the proposal. 

President Giberson also wanted to express his thanks to the National Union’s Officers and Staff for their assistance and support during this incredible emotional roller coaster ride of the past year.

The National Officers and Staff along with the UWUA “E” Alert Team also wish to extend our sincere congratulations to the members, President Giberson, Officers and Stewards of Local 127.

Harold recently stated, “If I’ve learned anything from the events of the last year, it is this, IT PAYS TO BELONG”.  We could not have said it better.