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…
Nuclear energy can power entire cities, yet discussions about it have long been clouded by political hesitation and public mistrust. Now, that narrative is changing. Across the United States, shuttered reactors are being restarted, plant licenses extended, and new designs proposed. Policymakers and tech companies alike are turning to nuclear power as the only…
When employees at Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) talk about “having a voice,” they mean it literally. Through decades of sustained political engagement and grassroots organizing, UWUA Local 686 has achieved something unprecedented in the American labor movement — a union seat on the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation (PFMC) Board, which oversees PGW’s management, budget, and…
As 2025 draws to a close, we look back on a year that tested our strength, reaffirmed our solidarity, and proved once again what happens when working people lead with purpose. Across the UWUA, our members delivered wins — at the bargaining table, in the field, and in the communities we serve. We secured strong…
When I first joined the union, I was searching for a sense of belonging — a place where my voice mattered. The Women’s Caucus became that space. Surrounded by women who understood the unique challenges we face, I found not only solidarity but inspiration. Through shared stories, workshops, and advocacy, I learned to speak up…
Recently, we celebrated America’s 71st Veterans Day — a day with a history that stretches far beyond seven decades. Originally called ‘Armistice Day’, November 11th marked the end of active combat during World War I. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had served as Supreme Allied Commander during World War II, rededicated the day…
In one of the wealthiest nations in the world, access to quality health care should be a basic human right — not a privilege. Yet millions of Americans continue to face inequities that expose a deep moral and systemic failure. From racial and economic disparities to barriers rooted in geography and employment status, our health…
This fall has been a busy and important time for safety in our union. Two major developments stand out — our national safety committee training at Power for America (P4A) in September and our union’s active engagement in federal safety rulemaking. Together, they reflect the UWUA’s mission to empower our members through education, advocacy, and…
Longtime Local 433 member Craig Romanovich was recently appointed executive director of the AFL-CIO’s Union Veterans Council (UVC). The UVC is one of the national federation’s seven official constituency organizations. Romanovich, a U.S. Army veteran and 25-year employee of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN), began his new role on October 6, 2025. He’ll divide…
Ava Tsapastsaris, daughter of UWUA Local 1-2 member Peter Tsapastsaris, recently met UWUA President Jimmy Slevin. A 2022 recipient of both the UWUA Local 1-2 and Union Plus scholarships, Tsapastsaris credits union support for helping her pursue her passion for communicating science, medicine, and health. She earned her bachelor’s degree at NYU and is now…
Local 1-2 Frank J. Arrigo Local 101 Troy Applegate Local 103 Brian Hemderson Local 105 Denise Adams Jon Jeffery Gregory Lyles Michael Nelson Minerva Owens Roger Schilling Ron Sears John Way Local 106 Richard Snow Local 119 Tony Davis Robin Goyette Carolynn Storm Local 126 William Cummings Mark S. Jeffries George Maloney Local 127 Albert…
“Line workers install poles, string wire, and connect power for new construction, but they’re also the first on the scene when weather or accidents knock out electricity. Every repair restores light and heat to families and communities.” Electric line workers are the backbone of the nation’s electrical grid — the people who build, maintain, and repair…
In September, Local 102 held its second annual leadership training, continuing its mission to equip new and younger members with the skills and confidence to lead. Over the week-long program, faculty from Penn State University’s Labor School led sessions on contract research, grievance writing, and identifying legitimate grievances, while also strengthening communication, conflict resolution, and…
The theme of this year’s Inter-Union Gas Conference (IUGC) — “United, We Move Forward” — reflected a renewed sense of solidarity and shared purpose among gas workers across North America. Held October 27–30, 2025, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas and hosted by the United Association (UA), the conference brought together hundreds of…