UWUA awarded its 2025 scholarships this summer to five regional winners. Each recipient received $2,000 toward continuing their education. Region I Brandon Strouse is the son of Peter Strouse, an electrician with the Suffolk County Water Authority and a member of Local 393, and Caren Benesz. He is a graduate of East Brunswick High School…
“It’s better in a union” is not just a slogan — it’s a fact, backed by data and proven every day at the bargaining table. The reality is that today’s economy overwhelmingly benefits the wealthy, while working people are often left behind. Despite increasing productivity year after year, the benefits of that growth do not…
The UWUA is leading a national effort to connect with schools and inspire the next generation of union workers through its Adopt-a-School initiative, spearheaded by the National Women’s Caucus and the Young Workers Initiative Committee. The initiative began with a simple observation: while employers often visit schools for job fairs, union representation is often absent.…
David Loerich, Local 600 “The commitment from UWUA National leadership was truly inspiring. Their energy and dedication to educating our members, growing our membership, and involving and empowering our younger members to become the future of the UWUA — that’s the message I’m bringing back to our Local 600 membership.” Kaela Osborne, Local…
Local 1-2 Edward Alder Frank Arrigo Michael L. Asaro Brian Barrett Carlos Bennett Alex Blanc Steven Brinkham Louis Cardillo Gerardo Carozza Michael Chionchio Rosemarie Coghlan Martin Cuevas Margo DaCosta Elvis Daley Alicia Day Ronald Decker Thorndike Deland Francis Dellatorre Michael Ducasse Joseph Faleri James Farmer Scott Ferrara Michael Garcia Eugene Gebrian Robert Giannetta Michael Gilson…
Since 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act has included the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)), which requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious harm. The General Duty Clause (GDC) serves as a catch-all protection when no specific OSHA standard applies. It has been a critical…
This past May, at our first ever UWUA Leadership Conference, I had the pleasure of hosting a financial training session that left me both inspired and energized. What struck me most was seeing so many new faces among our local officers. A majority of attendees were serving in these roles for the first time —…
In the United States, veterans account for 13% of all suicides. Suicidal individuals — especially men, and especially veterans — rarely ask for help. But studies show that success rates for suicide prevention increase dramatically when help is offered proactively, without waiting for someone to reach out. The Veterans Committee recently identified reducing the veteran…
I never set out to be a leader at work or in the union. I was the person who wanted to stay under the radar, do my job, and go home. However, my retirement-aged mentors impressed on me the importance of women being represented in our male dominated field. They said, “How can we influence…
Writing this column wasn’t easy. I’ve experienced deep pain: losing my parents, watching my husband wait for a heart transplant, and eventually grieving his passing. During those moments, I was fortunate to have the support of family, friends, and co-workers. That support helped me navigate situational depression. But for those suffering from clinical depression, the…
UWUA Local 351, a small but vital local of nine members in Lorain, Ohio, ratified a strong new four-year agreement with IHI Power Services, securing major wage increases and critical scheduling improvements. The members operate and maintain a dual fuel peaker power plant on the shores of Lake Erie, formerly owned by FirstEnergy and now…
UWUA members play a critical role in producing the electricity that powers communities across the nation, working across a wide range of energy sources. From large-scale coal plants like Ohio Valley Electric’s Kyger Creek Station, to modern natural gas and cogeneration facilities such as Vicinity Energy’s Kendall Plant, and high-capacity nuclear plants like DTE Energy’s Fermi…
This summer, labor leaders crisscrossed the country with a bold and unmistakable message: It’s Better in a Union. The AFL-CIO’s nationwide bus tour, officially titled It’s Better in a Union: Fighting for Freedom, Fairness and Security, traveled through 26 states over two months, bringing the fight for workers’ rights directly to communities across the country.…
The 350 members of UWUA Local 393, who provide safe and reliable water to more than 1.5 million residents and businesses on Long Island, ratified a historic 8-year collective bargaining agreement with the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA). The new agreement, which runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2033, delivers the strongest wage…
A group of six biomass plant operators at DTE Vantage has made history as the first within the company to join the UWUA. DTE, with electric, gas, and biomass divisions, has long been a leader in renewable energy projects, and this small team at the Riverview Energy Systems in Riverview, Michigan, is setting a new…
UWUA Local 605, representing 27 public service workers employed by the City of North Canton, OH, ratified a new three-year agreement that delivers gains in wages, benefits, and working conditions — while also marking a leadership transition for the local. Members work in the city’s water distribution, storm and sanitary, streets, parks, and land and…
It’s been a busy season of bargaining for UWUA Local 369, which recently secured new agreements with Eversource, Constellation LNG, and Liberty Utilities in New Hampshire, while continuing negotiations with several other employers across New England. “We’re a local that never stops bargaining if there’s a chance to make improvements,” said Local 369 President Dan…
It is no secret that members of the UWUA have differing political views. One thing all workers can agree on is their interest in keeping more of what they earn. No one really likes to pay taxes, and everyone looks for ways to pay less. During the 2024 presidential campaign, then candidate Trump made no…
Most of the mainstream messages we hear around Labor Day might lead us to believe this long weekend is all about buying more stuff. Over the past few weeks, I’m sure you were hit with all kinds of messages about sales and in-store events celebrating the unofficial end of summer by email, text, TV, social…