Local 609 Continues Its Growth and Winning Ways
Contract victories, newly organized members, and successful grievance settlements mark Local 609’s recent victories 
for its members who do everything from meter work to constructing and servicing gas distribution systems for different utilities around the country. The local’s accomplishments include:
• Welcoming Grid One Solutions in Pennsylvania back to the UWUA.
• Signing a four-year contract with NPL, an energy infrastructure construction firm, with a 13% wage increase (5% the first year) for members in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
• Winning a three-year contract with NPL for Oregon members, which includes a new wage structure with increases and bonuses over the life of the agreement.
• Successfully settling improper discharge grievances.
Local 609 President Renard Jowers, Vice Presidents Will Carbarlo and Jacob Harper-Cole are building a thriving local with national reach.
……………………………………………………………………………..
Local 1-2 Pres. Slevin Receives Workers Defense League Award
Local 1-2 President and National Executive Board member James Slevin recently received an award for Distinguished Service to New York City Labor by the Workers Defense League at its 81st anniversary celebration. Founded in 1936, the WDL is an educational and advocacy organization with close historic ties to the labor movement. The WDL’s work includes: counseling thousands of workers who call for help with their workplace problems, representing workers denied unemployment insurance at Labor Dept. hearings, linking up unorganized workers with unions, educating the public about workers’ rights and much more.
“When I send my members to the Workers Defense League, I am amazed at what they do. My members get back to me and say what a great job they do. I can’t thank them enough for what they do for my union and my members,” Slevin said in receiving the award.
……………………………………………………………………………..
Local 18007 Bus. Manager Passarelli, UMAP Honored for Service to Veterans
UWUA Veterans Committee Chair, Local 18007 Business Manager, National Executive Board member and Navy veteran Rick Passarelli traveled to Washington, DC in April to receive the Veterans in Excellence Award for the work Local 18007 is doing to put veterans to work through the UWUA’s Utility Workers Military Assistance Program (UMAP). More than 300 veterans have successfully completed UMAP’s Chicago training, growing Local 18007’s membership and providing valuable service to Peoples Gas customers.