As we reflect on the achievements of the past year and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow, one message rings clear: the importance of engagement. The strength of our union lies not only in the efforts of national leadership but in the commitment of every local leader, member, and community we serve. We need our local leadership to rise, recognize the power of our collective voices and actions, and understand that real change happens when we work together. This is our call — not just for engagement from the National but for each of you to engage in your locals, in your communities, and with each other.
Engagement means recognizing our power as a collective, understanding the issues that impact us, and taking action at every level — from national initiatives to local efforts — to protect and advance our members’ interests. This spirit built our union, and it’s the approach that will secure our success in the years to come.
In conversations with local leaders and members across the country, we often hear the question, “What’s the National doing about this?” While we are here to provide guidance and support, we cannot address the needs of every community from a distance. Local leaders are uniquely positioned to understand the specific challenges and opportunities within their regions, and it is vital they take the reins.
Handling day-to-day grievances is crucial work, but we must ensure that no leader becomes so focused on immediate issues that they lose sight of the bigger picture. To safeguard our members’ futures, we need to look beyond routine contract administration to the strategic battles shaping our union’s future. While grievance servicing is essential, broader, more strategic actions ultimately define our path forward.
This requires that local leaders be prepared to engage with state and municipal legislatures, Public Utility Commissions (PUCs), regulatory agencies, and other bodies shaping our current and future work places. Decisions made by these entities often profoundly impact our members’ lives, and it is crucial that we influence these decisions. When we mobilize and engage together — at every level — we win. That’s why we need you engaging with your statehouses, regulatory agencies, and communities.
In the utility sector, situational awareness is essential for ensuring on-the-job safety. It’s a pillar of our union’s safety program, but its relevance extends beyond immediate hazards. To secure our future, we must also be aware of broader political, economic, and technological shifts impacting our work. This means understanding how factors like artificial intelligence, environmental policies, and emerging technologies could affect our roles and safety protocols. It means staying alert to opportunities such as rate appeals and local ordinances that affect our work. Opportunities are often in plain sight, but it’s up to each of us to seize them.
Time and again, we have proven that under pressure we achieve remarkable things. Regardless of where a group of members stands on political or other issues, we unite when the pressure is against us.
In 2024, UWUA locals continued to negotiate strong contracts. Among this year’s notable settlements were Local 686’s contract extension with Philadelphia Gas Works (see Page 12) and Local 1-2’s contract with Con Edison, which achieved an impressive 17.83% compounded wage increase over four years for 8,000 members, one of the largest in the utility sector. This edition of The Utility Worker highlights other recent settlements, including for techs at Ohio’s Perry Nuclear Plant, call center workers at Chicago’s Peoples Gas, and strong first contracts for newly organized members at Dearborn Industrial Gas in Michigan and the SEIU Call Center.
Such wins showcase the power of sustained, unified engagement. However, to truly maximize our potential gains, engagement must extend beyond contract negotiations.
Our union secured representation on four key safety standard-setting committees under ANSI. Plus, a recent OSHA rule change affirmed our members’ right to choose their own advocate in incident investigations. These accomplishments underscore how coordinated advocacy at national and local levels can bring about significant policy changes that directly benefit our members.
In 2024, we launched the “How It’s Done” series to foster greater understanding within our union by highlighting common roles across sectors. This initiative bridges gaps between members in the water, electric, gas and public sectors, showcasing the dedication each brings to their work. By continuing this series in 2025, we aim to inspire appreciation, fresh ideas, and stronger connections, ultimately strengthening our union. When we understand each other’s work, we build a more unified, supportive community better equipped to face challenges together.
Our union’s strength lies in its leaders, and that’s why we’re committed to investing in their development. In May 2025, we will host a leadership conference for principal officers in Washington, D.C., providing practical training and resources to help leaders move beyond the day-to-day and see the bigger picture. This conference is part of our long-term commitment to cultivating leaders equipped to guide our union’s future.
Looking toward 2025, we face both challenges and opportunities. A new presidential administration and changing state and local leadership require that we remain vigilant and adaptable. Our ability to navigate these changes rests on the strength of our solidarity and the clarity of our union identity. We encourage locals to proudly display our union’s logo and symbols of our shared mission — reminders that each member is part of something larger and more powerful. Our shared identity is one of our greatest strengths, fostering pride and unity that make us resilient, ready to face any challenge.
As we move forward, we ask each of you to commit to this vision of active, ongoing engagement. The issues that impact our work and lives often begin locally, in state legislatures and PUCs, and each local needs a strategy for success in its region. National leadership is here to assist, but no one understands your community’s needs better than you. We need you to mobilize, push forward, and pursue our shared goals.
Let’s stay alert to the opportunities before us, practicing situational awareness in every decision, every regulatory case, and every meeting that could impact our members. In doing so, we protect UWUA’s future and build a union where every member can thrive.
Thank you for your commitment, hard work, and dedication. Together, let’s engage and keep pushing forward.
