For press inquiries, please reach out to Communications Director Erin Bzymek at ebzymek@uwua.net or 202-702-9655.
An oath is a solemn promise, often sworn with a vow of truth to uphold responsibilities or commitments. The union administers an oath of initiation for new UWUA members, which includes a pledge to support the union. United States presidents take an oath of office to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United…
The legislative and economic landscape is shifting, and not in favor of the working class. The hard-fought gains we’ve achieved through collective bargaining — better wages, safer working conditions, and job security — are under direct threat. For nearly 90 years, the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) has protected these rights, but today, its very…
As we begin the new year, it is a time to reflect on past achievements and future aspirations as a union. By examining the previous year’s actions, we can set informed goals for the coming year. Engagement, education, and succession planning are key factors in assessing our progress. Our union’s members come from diverse backgrounds.…
Local 103 Timothy J. Olsen Local 105 Dennis Walker Local 129 Stacy Miller Mark Shay Brian Umphrey Local 164 Renee Marshall Dominic Matarazzo Local 223 Walter Allen Julius Ban Joseph Majeske Bill Wiles Local 254 Gregory M. Schroeder Local 261 Lori King Michael Shannon Local 270 Dennis Wise Local 287 Rich Halfin Local 322 Mark…
James Shillitto, President of Local 1-2 “New York continues to push forward with electrification and a transition toward renewable energy sources. Last year, the state legislature attempted to pass a bill banning new gas installations by shifting the cost burden of new gas service connections from utilities to consumers, aiming to disincentivize gas usage.…
Natural gas infrastructure has long been a cornerstone of American industrial power, with over 2.7 million miles of pipelines serving 189 million Americans. For UWUA members responsible for maintaining and operating this vast network, the industry has historically provided stable, well-paying union jobs. However, rapid technological advancements, aggressive decarbonization policies, and shifting market dynamics are…
On January 27, 2025, President Trump removed both National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo and NLRB Member Gwynne Wilcox from office. While the removal of GC Abruzzo was anticipated, the removal of Member Wilcox was not expected. The firing of Wilcox is unprecedented and is directly contrary to the plain language of…
In a remarkable turnaround from previous negotiations, UWUA Local 270 and the City of Berea, Ohio, reached a new contract agreement for water treatment workers in just four hours — a stark contrast to the 14 months it took to finalize their first contract in 2021. “I don’t know that there has ever been a…
Local 335 members secured their largest ever raise package in a new five-year contract with Missouri American Water. The agreement came after just 10 days of bargaining in September, significantly faster than previous negotiations which often lasted months. The contract provides annual raises starting at 3.75%, followed by 3.5% in year two and 3% for…
Richard Passarelli, who transformed employment opportunities for veterans in the utility industry, retired from his roles as UWUA’s Director of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Committee Chair on February 1. His departure marks the culmination of a remarkable career spanning over three decades in union leadership and veterans’ advocacy. “Rick left an indelible mark on this…