CA Locals Win Historic SoCal Gas Contract Victory
The 3,800 UWUA members in CA Locals 132, 483, and 522 won an historic victory when they reached a new three-year contract extension agreement with SoCal Gas. Across-the-board wage increases totaling 9.54%, with no givebacks, tops the list of gains.
Industry under attack
Most importantly, the agreement provides stability for the next three years for UWUA members living in California, a state where good union jobs in the energy sector are threatened.
A Joint Steering Committee made up of Local 132’s President Javier Salas and Secretary-Treasurer Milton Davis, Local 483 President Robin Downs, and Local 522 President Kito Singleton led the negotiations.
“On behalf of the Joint Steering Committee, we would like to express our appreciation for your support and would like to inform the membership that the contract extension has been overwhelmingly approved with a record amount of ballots returned with the following vote:
Yes – 71%, No – 29%. Thank you again for your support,” the Committee reported in early September after all the ballots were counted.
The victory comes amidst unprecedented attacks, and opportunities, for gas workers in the state.
Fighting for good jobs
There is a concerted attack on California’s natural gas infrastructure, with little understanding of the importance of the benefits of natural gas for the energy sector and the state’s manufacturing base.
With the contract complete, the locals are now set to join with the company to fight together to turn back the threats to the good jobs in the gas industry.
“The company knew we meant business,” said Local 132 President Salas, adding, “Our position has always been that we must first take care of contract negotiations and SoCal Gas’ best asset, their employees, in order to fully join the fight to save our industry.”
