The Utility Workers union has long been a champion for military veterans and their causes, but few issues are as crucial as the reintegration of military veterans into civilian life. Through both national and local efforts, the UWUA Veterans Committee has tirelessly worked to create pathways for returning military heroes to provide for their families…
When one of Dustin Elliott’s five children brought home a letter from school earlier this year saying that many kids were going without water during the school day, he and his wife Chelsea sprang to action to find a solution. During the COVID pandemic, the Anderson, Indiana, Community School District had shut off water fountains…
Local 223 member Peter Packowski died on April 4 following an injury at DTE’s Pontiac Service Center substation. A Navy veteran, the 61-year-old electrical maintenance journeyman resided in Milford, Michigan, with his wife Tammy. He also leaves behind daughters Shawn and Alex, granddaughter Sophie, four sisters and many nieces and nephews.
DeAnna Hill, Local 191 “I would like to discuss the best ways to present the importance of the union to new, young members, and encourage them to participate.” Lawrence Carella, Local 18007 “With all the attacks on natural gas across the country, I’d like to see discussions on what measures the UWUA…
The UWUA wishes all our retirees health and happiness during your “golden years.” Enjoy it — you’ve earned it! Local 1-2 John M. Abramchuk Robert J. Anderson Judith Ayala Hector Bartolomei Mike Beamon Freddy Benkert Richard Benitez Aubrey Blades Julian Brown Lola Bryant Michael Catricola Benito Cotto James J. Coombs Frank D’Agostino Cora Deak …
The tragic murder of George Floyd ignited a global outcry for justice and led to the resurgence of the “Black Lives Matter” movement. This incident shed light not only on the plight of African Americans but also on the struggles faced by other marginalized communities. It is disheartening to now be witnessing attacks on Diversity,…
On March 24, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a repeal of the state’s so-called “right-to-work” law, which was enacted in 2012 when Republicans controlled both the state legislature and the governor’s office. Michigan is the first state to repeal a right-to-work law in nearly 60 years. The so-called “right-to-work” law allowed those in unionized workplaces…
“Welcome to Roswell, New Mexico, elevation 3,671 ft”. That simple sign greeted each of us as we walked across the tarmac. When the Young Workers’ Initiative Committee, along with our other national committees, got the call to help our brothers and sisters at Local 51, we leaped at the opportunity. It was an eye-opening experience…
Local 470-1 wrapped up and ratified a new four-year contract with Consolidated Asset Management after just two days of bargaining in March. The agreement covers 33 members working at power plants in Bridgeport and New Haven, Connecticut. A third plant, also in Bridgeport, with 13 members is under a separate contract that expires next year.…
I have three important topics to share in this issue’s column. The first is a refresher on the role of the UWUA National Safety Committee, the second is the role of safety stand-downs, and finally, a note of congratulations to Local 1-2 members at the New York Power Authority. The UWUA established the Safety Committee…
Leveraging your strengths means identifying your personal strengths or talents, and then using them to achieve your goals and objectives. It’s an important strategy for growth, as it enables you to focus on what you do best. Let’s be clear about what personal strengths are not: they are not your true passion, and they are…
UWUA members go above and beyond their typical work duties all the time. We don’t always hear about it, but these kinds of instances can happen in big and small ways. At this year’s convention, UWUA will once again present the “Hero Award” to recognize a member or group of members who performed extraordinary actions.…
At our union’s convention next month, delegates will participate in four action-packed days built around the theme of “Utility Workers: Essential by Industry, Exceptional by Choice.” Three days will have special sub-themes that highlight steps the UWUA is taking to position itself for a strong future. Embracing Our Differences The first day of the convention…
New Jersey Local 601 members recently won new agreements at both Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) and Veolia Water and welcomed three new units from Elizabethtown Gas, following the local’s recent first contract victory for the company’s call center workers. Strong Contract at PSE&G Local 601 represents the utility’s approximately 1,200 customer service workers…
1. Nonmembers’ Right to Object. Any employee who is not a member of the UWUA, and who pays fees to the UWUA and/or a Local Union pursuant to a collectively bargained union-security provision, will have the right to object to expenditures paid for activities, which are not reasonably related to collective bargaining. Such activities are…
Memorial Day honors the men and women who have died while serving in our military. It originated after the Civil War — a war that had claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history up to that point and necessitated the establishment of national cemeteries. By the late 1860s, Americans in various cities and…
This April, UWUA Government Affairs Director Lee Anderson attended a White House meeting where the Biden Administration announced historic new actions to create jobs and invest in the energy communities that have powered this nation for generations. President Biden came to the White House to take action to help energy-producing parts of the country, which…
The United States is working toward climate goals that include cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and achieving 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035. These objectives have increased the urgency of developing clean and renewable energy sources. In the race to build the ideal energy mix, small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are emerging…
For two days in March, West Virginia high school students who participate in career and technical education classes at various career centers gathered to test their skills and be evaluated by experts at the SkillsUSA state competition. Local 304 President Stewart Whitehair and member Ricci Bodkins, both electricians at Monongahela Power’s Harrison Station, served as…
Members of Local 609 working for Northern Pipeline recently settled a new four-year agreement that delivers a 6% wage increase in its first year and 3% in each subsequent year — all in all, 15.8% when compounded over the full term. Members will also see a 20% increase in employer contributions to their 401(k) retirement…
Roswell is a city in southeast New Mexico that is known as the site of an alleged UFO crash in 1947. Rather than shy away from the UFO legend, Roswell not only embraces it but celebrates its possible extraterrestrial past. Roswell is the home of the annual UFO Festival, the International UFO Museum, and UWUA…
Baseball players in the minor leagues, retail workers at REI in Cleveland, Starbucks baristas across the country, school bus manufacturers in the South and strippers in California recently secured big organizing wins that will build their power and secure better benefits and safer working conditions. These groups of workers – in roles, industries or regions…