AMI System at CMP Could Lead to IBEW Job Losses

November 5, 2009 - Jobs in the Meter Department at Central Maine Power Company will be affected by the Company’s plans to begin installing an Automated Metering Infrastructure system, or AMI. CMP learned on October 27 that they will receive a $95.9 million federal grant from the Energy Department to install smart meters for its 600,000 customers. CMP is one of 100 companies in 49 states receiving a total of $3.4 billion to help fund similar projects.

CMP Managers held meetings with employees to inform them of the announcement. Local news reports indicated CMP expects to save money by eliminating 85 meter-reader positions and the 2 million miles they drive each year. An additional 56 jobs (primarily union with some non-union) are also likely to be eliminated by the AMI system. IBEW 1837 has been actively engaged and working on this issue since early 2007 through intervention at the Maine Public Utilities Commission and by demanding bargaining on the possible impact of an AMI system with CMP.

Some members of the general public have been skeptical about the wisdom of using federal stimulus dollars for a project that could ultimately lead to the elimination of jobs. That skepticism was expressed in letters to the editor published in the Portland Press Herald.