For press inquiries, please reach out to Communications Director Erin Bzymek at ebzymek@uwua.net or 202-702-9655.
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…
As we reflect on the achievements of the past year and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow, one message rings clear: the importance of engagement. The strength of our union lies not only in the efforts of national leadership but in the commitment of every local leader, member, and community we serve. We need our local…
In early September, Local 18007’s 90 members working in the Peoples Gas Call Center ratified a new four-year contract, marking significant advances for this predominantly female and ethnically diverse remote workforce. The agreement, reached after extensive negotiations that extended beyond the July 31 expiration date, secured substantial benefits for members who handle the company’s customer…
On August 5th, Local 105 welcomed 29 new members from Dearborn Industrial Gas (DIG) following the unanimous ratification of their first UWUA contract. This five-year agreement marks a major achievement, significantly enhancing both pay and benefits for DIG workers. After voting to join UWUA in 2023, the DIG team worked with Local 105 and the…
Members of the Tech Division at the Perry Nuclear Plant ratified a new three-year contract on October 1st, securing stability for 55 workers represented by Local 270. Located east of Cleveland on Lake Erie, Perry’s single-unit boiling water reactor generates 1,268 megawatts of electricity — enough to power over one million homes. This new agreement,…
UWUA Local 686, representing over 1,100 employees at Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), recently negotiated a groundbreaking contract extension that will benefit its members through 2029. The local, which maintains strong ties with Philadelphia’s city administration, proactively sought to extend their existing 2022 agreement well ahead of its 2026 expiration date. This strategic move capitalized on…