This evening, the Huntington District was presented with the Company’s final offer for a new 3 year contract. The membership viewed the offer as a significant step backward, and rejected the offer. The membership also unanimously authorized a strike. “This is a top story here in Huntington”, said System President J. Kevin Booth. “In light of the recent layoffs in West Virginia, the news media picked up on the ratification. There were multiple network stations on hand for interviews and video. This is big here,” said Booth. “Our members here in West Virginia are a special group, they are proud of who they are. I’m proud to represent them. They deserve better than what West Virginia American Water is offering them”, Booth said.

Recently, American Water was given only about a third of what it was seeking in a rate increase. CEO Jeff Sterba criticized the PSC in West Virginia for that decision.

Courtesy WCHS News

WATER WORKERS STRIKE?

Union Workers Vote Down Contract With WV American Water

Utility workers in Huntington voted down a new contract with West Virginia American Water. Now the question is whether or not to strike? The vote was unanimous.

Josh Burton was recently laid off and says voted against a new contract. Burton says, "This company is making money hand over fist. Every quarter they report record profits and it's just not right.

The workers say the company wants to cut their benefits after laying off seven workers. Steve Hash was also laid off and says, "It's devastating, now I'm only getting 400 dollars a week.

Union representatives say if they go on strike, water service could be interrupted. If there are water main breaks, it could take longer to repair and a strike could affect the quality of water.

A spokesperson with the water company tells Eyewitness News, "We always have a contingency plan in place. Our customers will not be affected if there is a strike." But the union attorney Sam Pasquarelli disagrees. "A strike will affect customers because any temporary employees won't be trained well to remedy situations."

Courtesy Charleston Gazette-

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Less than a week after West Virginia American Water announced plans to lay off 31 employees, union employees in Huntington rejected the utility's latest contract offer Tuesday night and authorized a strike.

A union leader said workers have "no sympathy" for the company right now."

"The current morale is horrible. It's at an all-time low," said Kevin Booth, system president of the Utility Workers Union Local 537, which represents about 50 West Virginia American employees in the Huntington area. "The employees just aren't satisfied with what's going on."

The water company workers weren't expected to walk off the job today -- though Tuesday's unanimous vote allows them to strike at any time.

"The union remains willing to renegotiate with the company at any reasonable location and time," Booth said.

West Virginia American Water has a "robust continuity plan in place" to respond to any "workforce changes," said spokeswoman Laura Jordan.

"Although we hope that certain situations never occur, as the provider of a life-sustaining service, it is only prudent that we plan for contingencies to address any challenges ..." Jordan said Tuesday. "Our plans focus on ensuring water service to our customers."

Last week, West Virginia American Water announced plans to lay off 31 of its 310 employees. The layoffs included salaried managers and administrators, as well as union workers.

The water company said its decision was prompted by a recent state Public Service Commission order that denied $10 million of a $15.4 million rate hike the utility requested.

In April the PSC approved a 4.4 percent rate hike for West Virginia American Water. The company wanted a 13 percent increase.

The last days for workers losing their jobs will be June 3.

Booth predicted the job cuts would lead to delays in fixing water leaks, and turning customers' water service on and off.

The water company's contract with Huntington workers expired earlier this year. Union employees have continued to work under the terms of the expired contract.

The two sides remain at odds over wages, sick leave and the company's plan to hire temporary workers, Booth said.

"It appears they want to flood the company with temporary workers," he said.

The company also has offered pay raises of 26 cents an hour during the first year of a three-year contract, 27 cents the next year, and 28 cents during the final year.

In April, the PSC also rejected West Virginia American Water's request to approve a quarterly surcharge that would have been tacked onto customers' bills.

The surcharge -- called a Distribution System Improvement Charge -- would have raised up to $2.2 million in additional revenue for the utility each year. West Virginia American Water had planned to use the extra funds to replace water mains.

West Virginia American Water has more than 171,000 customers. The company serves the Charleston and Huntington markets.

The utility's Charleston employees belong to the Laborers Union, which has a separate contract from the Utility Workers Union.

The Utility Workers also represent West Virginia American Workers in Weston and Braxton counties, but those workers ratified new contracts earlier this year.

UNITED WE ARE A STRONG UNION!!

Local 537 members are committed in their fight to secure fair contracts with Pennsylvania-American Water. The camaraderie is unique to the Union Movement. We have members sending letters to politicians, making phone calls, and asking when they will be asked to participate in Labor Actions.

Members in 6 of our 6 Pennsylvania-American Water Districts have been unable to negotiate a fair contract with the Company in some cases for as long as 17 months. American Water has also implemented a sub standard health plan which will cost the members 52% more for the coverage. A $1,500.00 doctor bill will result in a 2000% increase in some cases.