Category: Magazine

Every four years, local unions from around the country meet to chart a course for the future with the shared mission of improving the lives of utility workers. We came together this year more determined than ever to confront the attack on working people by radical right-wing politicians and their corporate sponsors. We gathered to renew the fight for what we…

Less than a year ago, with the City of Philadelphia still pursuing the sale of Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) to UIL Holdings Company, Local 686 members were fearful they would spend 2015 bargaining for a new contract against UIL and not PGW. Local 686 utilized all of its resources to combat the sale, as UIL was committed to eliminating layoff protections, pension benefits, and…

Municipal workers in Lakeland, Florida, members of Local 604, recently ratified a new 3-year contract that builds on their success in a right-to-work state. The 400 members in electric will see raises of 5%, 5%, and 4%, while the 200 water workers won 4%, 4%, and 4% over the life of the agreement. “We accomplished every goal we had and are extremely grateful for the National Union’s…

The 30th Constitutional Convention was a very successful event. We heard from numerous energetic and enlightening speakers who addressed the many issues that we face today in organized labor and in our industry. As importantly, there was enthusiastic participation by our membership at this convention. A good blend of senior experienced workers as well as eager younger workers attended the convention…

Good morning, Brothers and Sisters. Thank you for stepping forward to be leaders of your local unions and taking on the challenges our members face  very day. You are in the trenches, fighting the good fight, addressing the concerns of our membership. Yesterday, the names of members who passed away since our last convention were shown on the convention hall…

The UWUA is providing a solution to veterans who have returned home from overseas to face a new challenge, finding a job. The Utility Workers Military Assistance Program (UMAP) gives veterans the job skills needed to excel in the utility industry. By putting veterans to work in good, union jobs, the UWUA is doing its part to honor those who have served the nation while…

UWUA President Mike Langford formed the UWUA’s Young Workers Initiative Committee (YWIC) in 2010 with the sole purpose of getting younger workers more involved with union activities and important social and economic issues. Since then, the YWIC has been hard at work. The fruits of their labor was on display for all to see, as YWIC members made educational and inspiring presentations at the convention. Over three days,…

The opening day of the convention included an historic first, the creation of the UWUA’s National Women’s Caucus. After completing the official work for the day, Delegates, Alternates and guests remained in the convention hall to participate in the caucus launch. Caucus Chair Valerie King, Local 601 executive secretary, started things off. “The number of women in the workplace has declined since 2014,” she said. “The U.S. now ranks 19th among 24…

America’s infrastructure — the systems we rely on every day for transportation, clean water, energy, and to communicate with each other — earned a “D+” from the American Society of Civil Engineers. The goal is to get Americans working together again to build this backbone of systems we rely on every day. Opening Ceremony The…