For press inquiries, please reach out to Communications Director Erin Bzymek at ebzymek@uwua.net or 202-702-9655.
One of the strongest reasons I believe in unions is their role in protecting workers’ rights. Without them, workers are often left with little real power. Workers need protection and a real voice on the job, and unions exist to protect basic workplace standards. Unions give workers a way to stand up for themselves without…
As we move into fiscal year reporting season, this is a good time for every local and council to review year-end financial records and make sure all required compliance filings and safeguards are in place. That includes Department of Labor LM reports, IRS Form 990 filings, and required fidelity bonding for anyone who handles union funds. Each of these…
Water and sewer employees in Braintree, Massachusetts, have secured a resounding contract victory after several months of negotiations with the town. The newly ratified three-year agreement delivers major wage and benefit gains for Local 466 members, marking one of the strongest settlements in the local’s recent history. Under the new pact, workers will receive a…
Local 270 capped off a busy bargaining season with three newly ratified contracts that deliver significant gains in wages, benefits, and working conditions. Agreements with Cleveland Water, Nimishillen Township, and the Perry Nuclear Power Plant improve standards for more than 160 of the local’s members across the region. Local 270 President Chris Ericksen said the…
This fall, the UWUA National Executive Board gained four new members — a dedicated group spanning both coasts and representing every corner of the utility industry. From New York’s Con Edison to California’s SoCal Gas, these leaders bring decades of experience in utility work and a shared commitment to strengthening solidarity, amplifying workers’ voices, and…
An exciting new partnership in California will open doors for the next generation of skilled union water utility workers. Launching in early 2026, the Cal Water Apprenticeship Program, a partnership between the California Water Utility Council (CWUC), California Water Service (Cal Water), and the Power for America (P4A) Training Trust, combines classroom learning with hands-on…
The utility industry may not be fully automated — yet — but it is far from immune to the sweeping influence of artificial intelligence. With the pace of technological change accelerating daily, it’s a safe bet that more and more functions in our work will be affected by AI in the years ahead. This shift…
City of Louisville public works employees have ratified their first union contract, marking a significant milestone nearly two years after organizing with the UWUA. The three-year agreement, approved in September and retroactive to January 1, delivers wage gains, job protections, and standardized working conditions that establish fairness and stability for the 13-member bargaining unit —…
Eleven Bordentown, New Jersey, city public works employees recently ratified their first union contract — a four-year agreement that runs through December 31, 2028. The group organized in late 2023, began bargaining the following December, and reached an agreement in July 2025. The deal delivers long-awaited pay equity and workplace structure for the city’s public…
Vincent Ramirez, Local 223 “For many years, our local has benefited from an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) representative — a former member who works independently from the company and serves as a great, confidential resource for anyone in need. Building on that foundation, this year we encouraged both board members and rank-and-file members to take…