CMP Contract Talks Set To Start
April 7, 2014 - Negotiators for IBEW Local Union #1837 and Central Maine Power are prepared to begin negotiations next week on a successor contract agreement for the large production bargaining unit. The current agreement runs through the end of this month.
Union members rejected the Company’s offer of a modified 3-year contract extension last week.
 The Union Negotiating Team and Company representatives will begin contract talks on Tuesday, April 15. Five sessions between the two sides had previously been scheduled.
 There are close to 600 members in this, the largest bargaining... Read More
Central Maine Power Modified Contract Extension Under Consideration
March 28, 2014 - Union and Company representatives have prepared a modified 3-year contract extension that will be presented next week to IBEW members in the large production bargaining unit at CMP.
IBEW members at CMP are receiving a summary of the agreement terms and relevant documents to consider prior to a ratification vote.
There are close to 600 members in this, the largest bargaining unit at CMP. Collectively, these union members design, build, repair and maintain the electric grid serving the largest customer base of any electric utility in Maine, and provide customer service... Read More
Granite Ridge Energy Members Ratify 3-Year Deal
Left to right: IBEW negotiators Joe Gilmore, Scott Kirby and Tom Ryan
March 26, 2014 - IBEW 1837 members at Granite Ridge Energy in Londonderry, New Hampshire have approved a new 3-year contract that maintains their current benefits package and increases their wages by more than 8½% over the term of the agreement.
“I’d like to thank our members Joe Gilmore and Scott Kirby for their efforts in helping us to come to this reasonable agreement,” said IBEW 1837 Assistant Business Manager Tom Ryan. “Our Business Manager Dick Rogers and I are grateful to them for their hard work as part of the Union... Read More
CMP Administrative and Technical Unit Members Ratify Agreement But Express Frustration
March 24, 2014 - IBEW 1837 members in the Central Maine Power Administrative and Technical bargaining unit have ratified a new 4-year contract agreement. This group of 42 workers had been working without a contract since July 1, 2013.
Although the contract was ratified, nearly all of the workers expressed disappointment and frustration in the final deal. Those feelings were echoed by union officials.
“By failing to include this one group of workers in the company-wide all-employee bonus, CMP has devalued these employees by sending them a clear message: You’re not worth it!” said IBEW 1837... Read More
CMP Fiber Microwave Techs Ratify Their First Union Contract
February 24, 2014 - Fiber Microwave Technicians at Central Maine Power have ratified their first union contract. These six workers are now part of the largest existing bargaining unit at CMP along with hundreds of other IBEW members. The Fiber Microwave Technicians voted to have union representation in a National Labor Relations Board election last May.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re better off,” said Phil Fessenden, one of the Fiber Microwave Techs. “It was an avenue to better our position at CMP and ensure a more productive future for our department.”
The Fiber Microwave Techs are... Read More
Landmark Agreement with CMP Protects and Adds Union Jobs
IBEW members will perform pole-setting in some areas under the agreement.
February 12, 2014 - IBEW Local 1837 and Central Maine Power have reached a landmark two-year settlement agreement that creates new union positions, sets base line staffing levels in each of the classification groupings, provides certain protections against layoffs, and creates new overtime opportunities in areas that are using DLI contractors. This wide-ranging agreement suspends a pending arbitration case over CMP’s use of contractors while preserving the Union’s right to grieve and arbitrate the present and future use... Read More
New IBEW 1837 Members at CMP Call Center Approve Their First Contract
 
February 10, 2014 - Customer Service Representatives at the Central Maine Power Call Center in Augusta have ratified their first union contract with the Company. An overwhelming majority of the 46 CSR’s voted late last week to accept the collective bargaining agreement negotiated between IBEW Local 1837 and CMP. The workers had voted to organize a union this past June.
 “It has been quite a process over the last eight months but I'm excited that the committee was able to negotiate an acceptable first contract,” said Joe Giuffrida, a Customer Service Representative and member of... Read More
Members Ratify One-Year Contract Extension for NextEra Fossil Plants
November 27, 2013 - IBEW members working for NextEra Energy Resources at their Maine fossil plants have ratified a one-year contract extension. The collective bargaining agreement will run through February 28, 2015
NextEra owns the oil-fired Wyman Station in Yarmouth and the much smaller oil-fired Cape Energy in South Portland. Both plants, which run primarily during times of peak demand for electricity, were put up for sale earlier this year. They are the only remaining NextEra facilities in Maine. The approved contract extension includes a general wage increase of 3%, a signing... Read More
PSNH Building Mechanics and Attendant Ratify First Contract
November 26, 2013 - The Building Mechanics and Attendant at Public Service Company of New Hampshire have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement and have officially become members of IBEW Local Union #1837. The contract vote was held this morning at the PSNH garage facility in Manchester.
"I want to thank Building Mechanic Tom Eaton for all the good work he did on this contract and his willingness to also step up and become a Shop Steward," IBEW 1837 Assistant Business Manager Tom Ryan said. "It's a good first agreement for these workers, especially since they will be getting the... Read More
New Contract Agreement Ratified for Members in Littleton
October 30, 2013 - Union members at Littleton Water and Light (LWL) have ratified a new 5-year contract a full two months before the expiration of their current collective bargaining agreement.
The successor agreement takes effect on January 1, 2014 and runs through December 31, 2018 with 2.8% wage increases in each year of the contract.
Union and LWL negotiators agreed to meet in the future if necessary to discuss any cost increases related to the Affordable Care Act (frequently referred to as "Obamacare"). Another change in the contract will require members to submit a receipt if they want... Read More