PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Making Our Voices Heard
I recently traveled to the West Coast to attend our Region V conference in Redondo Beach, CA. For those who participated, this gathering signaled a step forward in our return to normalcy.
Category: Magazine
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Cybersecurity Takes on New Urgency for U.S. Utilities Due to Global Tensions
America’s utilities are on high alert due to an elevated threat of cyberattacks. Hacking, ransomware, and data breaches have been longstanding concerns, but rising tensions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February have moved cybersecurity to the top of the agenda for electricity, gas, and water operations. The Biden administration has warned U.S. companies…
P4A Training Prompts Local 116 Members to Confront Their Employer About Building a Stronger Safety Culture
For three mornings last November, members of Local 116 gathered to watch the Power for America (P4A) virtual training sessions. Local 116 President Jason Fabynick recounted, “We wanted to be able to have discussions about what we were seeing and learning.” Matt Compton, the local’s vice president and a veteran, arranged for the meetings at…
Energy Outlook: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Holds Promise of Utility-Sector Job Growth
By Jim Harrison, UWUA Director of Renewable Energies As U.S. automakers go all-in on electric vehicle manufacturing, the industry is at a turning point. Making electric vehicles (EVs) affordable and accessible for all classes of consumers is predicated on those consumers being able to charge their vehicles quickly and economically. Auto manufacturers, utility companies, state…
Secretary-Treasurer’s Report: Key Filing Compliance Requirements
This article is a reminder that it is that time of year to review our year-end financial records and execute our compliance requirements. We have seen a large number of retirements in our ranks and many younger members are getting involved in their local leadership. This new energy is encouraging and exciting and will require…
NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Utility Workers: Our Unity Is Our Strength
There is no worker more vital and connected to our everyday lives than the utility worker. And there is no union that has, since its inception over 75 years ago, been more able to enhance the livelihoods of these unsung heroes known as utility workers than the UWUA. On March 1, I’ll be retiring from…
Good-paying PGW jobs would be irreplaceable if Philly moves away from natural gas | Opinion
On January 15, The Philadelphia Inquirer published this opinion piece by Local 686 President Keith Holmes. Philadelphia is not the first city to undertake such an effort to eliminate natural gas or prevent new natural gas hookups. In 2021, efforts were made by cities and states around the country to attempt to ban new gas…
2022 Energy Outlook
Numerous factors are driving utilities to focus on lowering their carbon output and examine the ways they generate and deliver power. At the same time, they’re re-examining their business models in the wake of significant competition from non-utility power producers, particularly of renewables. A 2021 report by Hitachi found 88% of all utility-scale wind and…
NEWS ROUNDUP: Small Unit Sets High Bar for First Contract Negotiation in NJ
Local 601 members recently wrapped up their first contract negotiations with the Bordentown Sewerage Authority. The four-year agreement sets a strong foundation for the unit of nine members who run the town’s wastewater plant and also perform public works maintenance. The vote for UWUA representation back in June 2021 was spurred by a desire for…
NEWS ROUNDUP: New Year Brings Fresh Start for Local 580 Members
UWUA members working for Indiana Borough, a municipality about two hours east of Pittsburgh, started 2022 off with a great start. At its January 3 meeting, the borough council appointed a new borough manager, and within days had inked a new contract with its parking, street crew, wastewater and office workers — all members of…