It’s been a busy season of bargaining for UWUA Local 369, which recently secured new agreements with Eversource, Constellation LNG, and Liberty Utilities in New Hampshire, while continuing negotiations with several other employers across New England.
“We’re a local that never stops bargaining if there’s a chance to make improvements,” said Local 369 President Dan Leary. With 24 contracts across 13 employers, Leary and his team maintain an active schedule of negotiations and member engagement— delivering wins at the table while laying the groundwork for future gains.
Leary emphasized, “None of this bargaining is possible without the hard work of our executive board members, chief stewards, and stewards who come to the table prepared and serve as subject matter experts. Having a strong, knowledgeable membership behind us is just as important— it’s what gives us the leverage and credibility to succeed.”
Major agreement with Eversource
In May, Local 369 members at Eversource ratified a new four-year agreement running from June 1, 2025, to June 1, 2029, covering more than 2,100 workers in departments ranging from call centers and clerical to overhead, underground, garage, engineering, and fleet.
Negotiations began in January and included 17 union representatives: the local’s four full-time officers (Leary, Treasurer Craig Connolly, Executive Vice President Rober Senier, and Business Agent Stephen Milionis), plus 13 executive board members who work at Eversource. Each department was represented through subcommittees that helped shape the final deal.
“It was a grueling process,” said Leary. After members rejected a four-year extension proposal in 2023, management returned to the table this year with proposals that included numerous givebacks. “We had to go through the process of rejecting those proposals and making it clear what we considered deal breakers,” he said.
From January to May, the main table met multiple times, while subcommittees negotiated finer details. Most reached agreement by May’s end; others have until October to finalize department-level items.
“Overall, we didn’t walk away with any negative changes,” said Leary.
The new contract includes:
- 3% wage increases each year;
- Preservation of all existing benefits;
- A long-sought pension upgrade.
Members hired after 2012 were enrolled in a non-ERISA 401(k). The new agreement replaces it with a cash balance 401(k) governed by ERISA, improving company contributions by 2.5%.
“We’ve been pushing for this since 2012 — it’s a significant step forward,” said Leary.
Healthcare was another area where the union stood firm. The company proposed aggressive cuts and restructuring, which Local 369 rejected — while securing a package of enhanced benefits, including:
- Expanded dental and vision;
- Hearing aid replacement;
- Improved bereavement leave;
- Adoption and surrogacy support;
- Paid parental leave;
- Improved tuition assistance;
- Improved vacation entitlements.
Constellation LNG: stability for a critical employer
At Constellation LNG, where Local 369 represents 26 members, the union secured a five-year contract after uncertainty about the facility’s future. The company had faced potential closure until securing long-term agreements with local utilities. With its future now more stable, the union negotiated:
- Annual wage increases of 3%, 3%, 2.5%, 2.5%, and 2.5%;
- Additional pay adjustments for certain classifications;
- Maintenance of existing benefits.
The new deal, which replaced a contract that expired May 15, provides security through May 2030.
Liberty Utilities: steady gains for engineers
At Liberty Utilities in New Hampshire, Local 369 represents three engineers who recently ratified a new three-year agreement. The contract includes 4% annual wage increases and no changes to existing benefits.
More on the horizon
In the coming months, Local 369 will negotiate with SQUAN/ElecComm and Sunbelt Rentals, where it represents members in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
Next year, contracts between the Brotherhood of Utility Workers Council and National Grid expire — one covering gas workers across three UWUA locals and another covering electric workers in six locals, totaling about 1,200 members. Leary, who serves as BUWC president, will be involved in both. He notes, “Every table is different, but our goal is always the same: protect what our members have and fight to improve it.”