For press inquiries, please reach out to Communications Director Erin Bzymek at ebzymek@uwua.net or 202-702-9655.
Public sector members of Local 542 in Bay City, MI recently ratified a new three-year contract that took almost two years to negotiate. The 95 municipal workers staff city hall, and the Department of Public Works; including streets, sanitation, parks, water distribution and waste water systems. No concessions The new agreement provides annual raises, an…
So far my travels as UWUA president have taken me from very small locals where a handful of our members provide vital services to their own communities, to large locals with thousands of members, as well as others of various sizes, with more to come. I’ve had numerous conversations that have sparked my interest in…
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, newly appointed UWUA National Representative for Region II, Joseph Swenglish, became a member of UWUA Local 433 in 1994. Since then, he has been employed by the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN), where he spent the beginning of his career as a welder before becoming a control room operator…
UWUA support was key to Local 164 member John Lorenzo winning his race to become Commissioner of Rostraver Township, PA in November. The 40-year-old father of two decided to run for office after successfully opposing the privatization of his township’s wastewater operation. “I want make sure our residents’ interests come first,” he says, adding, “The…
Fifty-Eight Years of Service And Going Strong! Local 175 member Janice Behnken (pictured left) was recently recognized by UWUA President Jim Slevin for her 58 years of service at Vectren Energy and her dedication to her local’s membership. “I’m still working full time for the gas company and when I get off work I volunteer…
For United States high school juniors who will be completing or leaving high school and entering college in the fall of 2021. This scholarship program was established by Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO for the children of union members. To enter your child into the 2021 Utility Workers Union of America Scholarship Program (for…
Each year on November 11, we recognize the sacrifices and contributions made by our veterans. While support of our veterans is heartfelt by everyday working people, that has not always been the case with some of our elected politicians and others. President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, the “GI Bill of Rights,” into…
As UWUA members, gas, electric, and water are the utilities in our business. However, with today’s technology, communication and social media, is ‘data’ the new utility? Is it possible that as we look ahead, data is the world’s most valuable resource? Many companies across the country have made the gathering of data a major focus…
Well, it is that time of year. The holidays you think, well yes, but what I was actually referring to is the beginning of the relentless barrage of political ads. This resurrects the age-old question, “Should a labor union support the Democratic or Republican Party?” This is a debate that union members have had from…
The Good In 2018, the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 that ruled a public employee cannot be required to pay dues or fees for the representation the union provides related to collective bargaining and other representational activities. The majority on the Court ruled that Mark Janus, a State…