For press inquiries, please reach out to Communications Director Erin Bzymek at ebzymek@uwua.net or 202-702-9655.
After standing united against a proposed reduction in disability benefits, 58 UWUA members across northeast Ohio secured a four-year contract with Aqua Ohio that delivers a 13% wage increase and enhanced benefits. The agreement, ratified in late March just prior to the April 1 deadline, covers workers across Locals 425, 427, and 428. Key contract…
David James, Local 223 “I’m a substation operator by trade, which often places me in very dangerous situations. With proper training and adherence to our safety policies, I’m able to perform my work without incident. One of the greatest strengths of my local’s contract is itslanguage establishing safety committees. This structure ensures that our entire workforce…
The UWUA is setting a new standard for workplace safety by empowering its locals with the tools, training, and contract language needed to take a proactive role in safety advocacy. Whether it’s developing standout local programs or partnering with national resources like the Power for America Training Trust (P4A), the union is placing safety at…
In my two most recent columns for The Utility Worker, I wrote about Project 2025 — first, raising concerns about how a second Trump term might pursue its objectives, and second, examining President Trump’s initial executive orders and their connection to the plan. Both columns received strong — but varied — responses. Some members expressed…
In June 2024, the UWUA Executive Board appointed Darryl Taylor as chair of the union’s Human Rights Committee, succeeding Nathan Waters upon his retirement. In an interview with The Utility Worker, Taylor shared his journey, vision, and plans for the committee’s future. Q: Tell us about your career journey and how it has prepared…
In December, five members of Local 393 at the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) participated in the first of five planned sessions of “Fall Protection Competent Person” training. SCWA partnered with safety equipment manufacturer 3M to deliver this specialized 16-hour course. A second group completed training in February, and three additional sessions are scheduled for…
On December 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) issued updated guidance on the use of remote electronic voting systems in union officer elections. This guidance, available on the DOL’s website, is designed to help unions comply with the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA). The document highlights key considerations…
The Impact of Project 2025 on Organized Labor In the July-August-September issue of The Utility Worker, my column addressed concerns about the potential effects of a second Trump administration following the policy framework outlined in Project 2025, particularly as it relates to organized labor. Project 2025, a comprehensive policy agenda developed by conservative think tanks,…
In a world marked by diversity — of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences — there exists an undeniable truth: we are stronger together. The strength of a union lies not just in its numbers, but in the solidarity and unity of its members. This is especially vital as we confront challenges, advocate for our rights, and…
Big challenges have tested members of the Utility Workers Union of America as long as we’ve been around. In recent memory, deregulation and the financialization of the utility sector in the 1980s, a global energy transition in the 2000s and, most recently, explosive growth in energy demand due to data centers have tested us, demanding…