Download Electronic Issue of The Utility Worker Oct/Nov/Dec

Welcome to this special edition of The Utility Worker.

As this trying year comes to a close and we prepare for the holidays, one thing is certain. Despite our economy’s long and hard struggle to get back on its feet, the UWUA is showing its strength more than ever before. It is a testament to the determination of our members and their families that we are not letting growing corporate power silence our voice in the workplace and in local, state and federal legislatures. That a fair wage, affordable family health care and the right to unionize are just that-rights, not privileges.

American Water Workers Take Action in 7 States-American Water, a company that despite netting a $228 million profit on $2 billion in total revenue, seeks exorbitant concessions, including a 52% increase in employee contributions for family health coverage. Members throughout seven states where American Water has sites stood up and took action. Find out how they mobilized to fight back on page 5.

UWUA's 2010 Election Mobilization Gets Results-This year, the UWUA joined forces with AFL-CIO to get out the vote for 2010 elections. Record numbers of members made the turnout. Nationally, some 200,000 members from AFL-CIO unions knocked on 8.5 million doors, distributed 19.4 million fliers, sent 24.6 million pieces of mail and made millions of phone calls. We even got the green light to have several members throughout the country work full time to support candidates, and by full time we mean, up to two months prior to elections of 24/7 phonebanking, walking, meetings, driving thousands of miles, making radio spots, everything we had to show our commitment. Coverage of how UWUA locals nationwide fared in voting for labor-friendly candidates can be read on page 6.

Special Organizing Section-Workers Go For Strength in Hard Times-Our complete UWUA organizing coverage is on pages 9-16. Inside:

Allegheny Energy Harrison Power Plant workers join UWUA-read up on how Allegheny’s mergre with FirstEnergy served as the impetus for workers to realize the importance of joining UWUA and forming their own chapter, Local 304,on page i.

Lakeland Water workers vote UWUA, Yes!-Lakeland Water plant workers in Florida join their UWUA brothers at Lakeland Electric and form a strong UWUA presence in a right-to-work state. page iii.

Union leads training for next generation of nuclear workers- -In response to the graying of the nuclear workforce, Southern California Edison (SCE), UWUA Local 246 and MiraCosta College in Oceanside have partnered together to offer San Onofre Nuclear Generating Stations (SONGS), offering students of all ages the opportunity to earn a two-year college degree FOR FREE, plus earn a guaranteed eight week union wage job at a nuclear facility. For more on this innovative program, see page vi.

North Canton, Ohio water workers join UWUA-North Canton Ohio Water, who up until now had an unaffiliated, small, union, realized that joining the UWUA gave them a significant edge at the negotiating table come contract time. Find out about their vote to join UWUA on page vii.

UWUA Brings the Fight for Workers Back to West Virginia- A more in-depth perspective on the successful organizing struggle within Allegheny Energy’s Harrison Power Plant and the importance of equipping workers with accurate information when organizing on page viii.

As in every issue, we have our regular departments, including:

President's Message-UWUA President D. Michael Langford’s message to members on page 3.

Speaking Out-We hear directly from our newest members about the importance of being in a union and concerns in the workplace, on page iv.

Have a happy and safe holiday season. See you on the organizing front in 2011!