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…
Jack Murphy, a lineman for AEP and a proud member of Local 116 since 1968, embodies dedication in every sense of the word. With 56 years on the job, he has answered 97% of emergency calls — a remarkable achievement that, as Local 116 President Jason Fabynick puts it, “would put him in the Hall…
The Michigan State Utility Worker Council (MSUWC) is setting new standards in wind technician safety with an innovative approach to emergency response. In partnership with Consumers Energy, MSUWC is preparing for the possibility of a cardiac event at the top of a wind tower — a scenario where every minute counts. Charles Dame, MSUWC Generation…
Local 1-2 Alfred Campbell, Jr. Tommy Chin Eddie Donnelly Shamariah Dove Nancy Fines Barry Fisher David A. Griffin Ramphal Haripersand Norbi Laquer Edmund Lewis Rocky Lewis Edwin D. Malponado Anthony Natale Sheik H. Rahaman Frank Romeo Eric Taylor Michael Toohey Joseph Thomas White Local 101 Anthony P. Scott Local 102-C Michael Anderson Dave Peterson…
Recognizing the need to invest in union members and the organization’s future, Local 102 hosted an educational and training conference in late August. The event drew 38 participants from across three states. Over a four-day period, instructors from Penn State University’s Labor School led sessions covering essential topics including grievance filing, contract interpretation, leadership development,…
Members of Local 399 ratified a new three-year contract with the City of Cuyahoga Heights on September 11, 2024. The agreement, retroactive to July 1 and extending through June 30, 2027, includes guaranteed annual wage increases of 5%, 3%, and 3%. It also introduces a job description committee, increases rest periods after working 16 hours,…
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can mean the difference between life and death. Ryan Sundquist’s recent experience is evidence of that. Sundquist is a 13-year member of Local 369 and a veteran underground splicer. In early October, he was working in a manhole, installing cable hangers and re-racking cables — a task he had performed countless…
This year’s hurricane season put the national mutual aid system to the test. Hurricanes Beryl, Helene, and Milton hit the southeast United States and Gulf Coast in swift succession, causing widespread destruction across multiple states. In response, UWUA members from dozens of locals mobilized to help affected communities recover, traveling hundreds of miles to restore…
On August 9, what started as routine storm duty for three utility workers turned into a life-saving rescue in Parma Heights, a Cleveland suburb. Sean Groom and Rob Cecil, electric meter installers from CEI (FirstEnergy/The Illuminating Company), along with CEI engineer Brian Green, pulled a 60-year-old man from his burning home just moments before it…
UWUA leadership recently attended an event at the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station in Covert, MI, hosted by the Department of Energy (DOE) and Holtec. The event celebrated the Biden administration’s conditional commitment of a $1.52 billion loan guarantee to restart the facility, marking the first time a nuclear plant would be brought back online after…
The 2024 Inter-Union Gas Workers Conference (IUGC) gathered over 500 union members in Orlando, Florida, from September 30 to October 3. The conference is held annually, with hosting duties rotating among the six IUGC national and international unions: the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA); International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); International Chemical Workers Union…
The UWUA National Safety Committee had a significant presence at the National Safety Council (NSC) Fall Expo and Labor Division Conference, held September 16–18, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. This event provided UWUA with an opportunity to advance its safety initiatives and reaffirm its leadership in advocating for utility worker safety. Participating committee members included Jayson…
Unions have long played a critical role in advocating for workers’ rights, better wages, benefits, and working conditions. However, despite significant progress, women remain underrepresented in union membership and leadership positions. In the U.S., while women make up almost half of the workforce, they represent only one-third of union members. This underrepresentation of women is…
In a victory for remote workers in the labor movement, employees at SEIU’s National Call Center recently ratified their first union contract as members of the newly formed UWUA Local 112. The unit consists of nine part-time employees spread across seven states. These workers specialize in conducting campaigns for a large national education union and…
In Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, written between 1837 and 1839, young Oliver famously asks, “Please, Sir, can I have some more?” as he seeks a little extra food to fill his hunger. Similarly, union members may feel a hunger — not only for more workplace rights but for connection, knowledge, and community support. The AFL-CIO’s…
The strength of any union lies not just in its numbers, but in the active engagement of its members — particularly its young workers. As the utility sector continues to evolve with new technologies and challenges, fresh perspectives and enthusiasm are more vital than ever. Becoming an active union member starts with fundamental participation. Vote…
Are you making the most of your union and military skills to secure financial stability and serve your community? Every veteran knows our mission statement while in uniform: to protect the United States and its interests at home and abroad. That shifts once we transition to the civilian world, but our fraternity with others remains.…
Stepping into call centers, our latest glimpse into the diverse job functions our members perform, offers a window into the evolving nature of customer service work and the vital role these professionals play. Insights from Becky Sanders’ 22-year career helping people access water services, Leo Evangelista’s union organizing work, Melissa Suarez’s decade of experience at…
Carla Muenks, Local 335 “Although our UWUA union and membership have accomplished great things in the past, there is always room for improvement. I feel our members are enthusiastic about the coming year and with their passion and the union’s support, opportunities are endless. The labor education training that is offered gives our members, new…