UWUA Local 423 recently ratified two separate collective bargaining agreements covering members working for New Jersey American Water in both its Central and North territories — capping an intense period of negotiations and reinforcing key protections for nearly 300 members across the state.
The agreements follow the recent merger of the former Local 391 into Local 423, bringing together workers across a wide geographic area. These members perform essential water and wastewater utility work, including distribution, treatment operations, maintenance, and field services that ensure safe and reliable service to communities across several New Jersey counties. Over a span of just three and a half months, the local negotiated and ratified both contracts — first for Central members, followed shortly after by the North unit.
According to Local 423 President Pat Mann, the negotiations were among the most challenging he has experienced, as the company took a more standardized, corporate approach to bargaining than in prior rounds. Despite that, the union secured meaningful gains while protecting critical contract language.
“The biggest issue was quality of life,” Mann said, pointing to company proposals that would have allowed management to change workers’ schedules at will. “We were able to hold the line on that.”
Both agreements preserve key protections around scheduling, staffing levels, and contracting limits — issues the company had sought to eliminate. In addition, members secured wage increases, improved shift differentials, and gains in areas such as meal allowances and clothing stipends.
For North members in particular, the contract helps close longstanding gaps, bringing several benefits in line with those already established in the Central agreement. The new Central agreement runs through February 2029, while the North contract extends through April 2031.
Both contracts were ratified by overwhelming margins, reflecting strong member support and unity throughout the process. The negotiations were led by Local 423’s executive board, which serves as the bargaining committee, including President Mann, Vice President Kevin Bennett, Recording Secretary Edward Anderson, Treasurer Joan O’Donnell, and executive board members Ryan O’Connor, Scott Lucas, Chris McCabe, and Mario Brizuela.
Looking ahead, Local 423 leadership is focused on continuing to build cohesion across the combined membership, with the long-term goal of achieving a single, unified contract.