WASHINGTON, DC — The Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), AFL-CIO today announced 90 workers for Delta Natural Gas Company providing natural gas to homes and businesses in eastern Kentucky overwhelmingly voted in favor of joining the UWUA. Despite an active anti-union campaign against the organizing effort by Delta Natural Gas, workers voted to unionize by a 65% majority.
“We are excited to welcome this group to the UWUA and to begin bargaining the members’ first contract,” said UWUA President James Slevin. “Delta Gas workers stood strong together throughout this campaign, enduring an aggressively anti-union employer and retaliatory actions along the way. We expect Delta Gas will come to the bargaining table with the intention of quickly agreeing on a fair contract.”
Workers sought collective action after expressing ongoing concerns about low wage rates, unfair compensation and concerns about high turnover rates at the company. During the organizing campaign, UWUA filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge over the company’s disciplinary actions against one of the campaign’s lead organizers. The UWUA expects the charge to be upheld.
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Chartered in 1945, the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), AFL-CIO represents 45,000 active members employed in America’s utility sectors including the electric, gas, water, and related professional and service industries. James Slevin is UWUA’s National President. For more information visit https://uwua.net.