Federal Bankruptcy Judge Requires FirstEnergy to Honor its Collective Bargaining Agreement with UWUA Local 270

CLEVELAND, OH (AUGUST 23, 2019) – This week, a judge overseeing FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.’s (FES) bankruptcy reorganization sustained two unions’ objections to the company’s proposed reorganization because the company has not come to an agreement with the unions over collective bargaining agreements. One of the unions objecting to the company’s reorganization plan is the Utility Workers Union of America’s (UWUA) Local 270 whose members operate and maintain the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. As a follow-up, the judge scheduled a status conference for September 10 to report back on the negotiations between the unions and FES.

Below is a statement from UWUA Local 270 President, Frank Meznarich in reaction to the decision:

“This is a significant victory for our members. FES cannot escape bankruptcy without fulfilling its obligations to the individuals who maintain and operate these facilities. Our members have been unwavering in their efforts to deliver power to ratepayers who rely on it and we expect FES to honor its legal obligations to our members.”