For press inquiries, please reach out to Communications Director Erin Bzymek at ebzymek@uwua.net or 202-702-9655.
Continuing a string of victories in its water division, Ohio Local 270 recently welcomed the City of Berea Water Department workers as its newest members. The Berea win is an example of how successful organizing drives emerge when members who enjoy the benefits of a UWUA contract share this with others who work for…
Larry Kelley, who retired in 2018, recently passed away. Larry was a 38-year member of Local 102H. He started as a volunteer national organizer in 1996 and then served 10 years as a UWUA national organizer. Thousands of UWUA members benefited from Larry’s work, which he always enjoyed. He was a lineman and serviceman for…
Four hundred Local 470 members who work for United Illuminate in Connecticut welcomed the new year enjoying the benefits of a new contract that protects their jobs, brings 3.5% annual wage increases, and keeps health care costs level, for the duration of the 4.5-year agreement. Gains came during the onslaught of the pandemic after local…
A lot of people are hurting in our country today. The pandemic has revealed weaknesses that need to be addressed if we are to move forward as a nation. We have our differences but we all have shared values and common goals: economic security, a safe place to live, a good education, and affordable quality…
As we close out the year that has changed us all, it is evident we have lost a lot in 2020. Our world perspectives were changed to varying degrees. Many of us experienced a feeling of sadness, uncertainty, loss, and adapted to the ever changing world that was unpredictable, and chaotic. We forged ahead to…
Fifteen years ago, a partnership between UWUA Local 369, Bunker Hill Community College and Eversource Energy in Boston helped to build a talent pipeline for the company’s rapidly retiring workforce. Just two years ago, the Electric Power Utility Technology (EPUT) Program hit the refresh button expanding recruiting to minorities and women and bolstering academic coaching…
Chicago Local 18007’s Mike Konrath will be retiring from Peoples Gas after 31-years of service. He started February 20, 1990 and will be retiring February 22, 2021. His contributions to the local over his long career have been monumental. “Mike played an instrumental role in setting up and making whole our PEACE Team,” says Local…
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of workplace safety. Everyone now has a much better understanding of how challenging it can be to stay safe, and keep others safe, so people can go home at the end of the day in the same condition they left to go to work. No one knows the…
It is well known that labor unions have a long history of fighting to improve the lives of workers through better pay, benefits and establishing a safe work environment. The gains workers made through organizing and collective bargaining began well before employers were required by law to recognize and bargain with unions. The earliest recorded…
In addition to the normal challenges facing the membership of the UWUA, including a significant hurricane season and devastating wildfires, 2020 also included a historic pandemic. In response to the pandemic, many states established shelter-in-place orders for all but essential workers. One could argue that there are no more essential workers than utility workers. The…