IBEW Negotiating Team at LWL

December 23, 2008 - After seven bargaining sessions, IBEW Local Union 1837 members at Littleton Water and Light (LWL) have voted to ratify a five-year contract agreement that will take effect on January 1, 2009. The union negotiating team consisted of Kevin Sorrell (Chief Water Person), Paul Bresnahan (Chief Steward &LW 1 RG 34.5), Tom Ryan (IBEW Assistant Business Manager) and Sue Ekola (IBEW New Hampshire Office Secretary).

With a 3.8% wage increase per year, workers at LWL can look forward to a significant wage increase over the term of the agreement. The contract also maintains the workers’ low contribution rates for medical benefits.

Other favorable provisions include increasing standby premiums by two hours over the term of the contract; obtaining a revaluation for the Chief Meter Person; increasing the vacation schedule by one day per year for every year after 30 years of service (up to a total of 30 days); increasing the meal policy payments; increasing the boot allowance; making holiday pay contract language consistent with the current practice.

Restoration work in Waterboro, ME

December 16, 2008 - IBEW Local Union 1837 members in New Hampshire and Maine have put in countless hours working to restore electricity to homes and businesses knocked off the grid by a pre-winter blast of destructive ice. From lineworkers to meter readers to substation workers and staffers at call and service centers, our members have been on the front lines of this tremendous effort to restore power to utility customers.

The worst ice storm since 1998 led to hundreds of thousands of power outages in both states. President Bush declared states of emergency in New Hampshire and parts of Maine, allowing the federal government to release relief supplies to assist in the recovery efforts.

In New Hampshire, an astounding 400,000 out of 700,000 power users were blacked out at the peak on Friday, December 12 – about 90% of which were residential users. A large portion of the state felt the full force of this weather system, with widespread damage and nearly impassable roads complicating the recovery effort.

Big Wall Calendar

Small & Sticky One

December 9, 2009 - It's a bit of a different look this year, but the IBEW Local 1837 Wall Calendar still gives you a chance to show your union pride wherever you might post it. It also helps members to keep track of when their local units meet every month.

You can pick up your copy of the wall calendar at your local unit meeting. Supplies are limited, so make a point to get yours soon. Contact your steward, call the union office, or check the calendar feature on this website for meeting places and times.

The new calendar features photos of our members in both states hard at work. Photos used in this year's calendar were submitted by members Dave Ouellette and Matt Beck. Other photos submitted may be used in future union publications or on next year's calendar.

Another popular calendar provided to every member is the so-called "small & sticky" variety. The small month-by-month calendar has an adhesive backing that makes it easy to stick up in your pick-up or car, or just about anywhere! Just like last year, every member will be mailed one of these calendars and additional ones will be available at future local unit meetings. In addition, IBEW 1837 Shop Stewards and E-Board members will receive pocket calendars.

December 4, 2008 - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who stood with IBEW 1837 during last year's union organizing campaign at PSNH, has been nominated by President-elect Barack Obama to serve in his administration as Commerce Secretary. In the spring of 2007, Richardson had repeated discussions with IBEW 1837 Asst. Business Manager Tom Ryan about how he might help our union.

Last year, while campaigning in New Hampshire for the Democratic Presidential nomination, Richardson expressed concern to PSNH representatives about their anti-union tactics against IBEW 1837's drive to organize "Writers" at the company. Field Technicians and Field Technician Specialists (also known as "Writers") had been subjected to mandatory anti-union meetings at company facilities.