Negotiations and Demonstrations at CMP Continue into August

IBEW Demonstrators in Alfred.

July 30, 2009 - As July drew to a close and IBEW members at CMP continued working without a contract, the Union Negotiating Team at Central Maine Power Company returned to the bargaining table. They brought along a new proposal designed to hold CMP to what management negotiators called “balancing what the customer can afford” and “controlling our legacy costs.”

While differences between the Union and the Company remain on various issues, the greatest sticking point has been a CMP proposal to place a cap on the retiree health insurance benefit. IBEW fears that the proposed cap would put the cost of retiree health insurance beyond the reach of many union members.

Although CMP has never indicated that the current retiree benefit was beyond the Company’s financial means or that CMP’s ratepayers would have to bear a burden, they have continued to press their case for the cap. CMP has been largely motivated by what they termed “keeping pace with marketplace trends” and “staying competitive with general industry.” With that in mind, the Union Negotiating Team worked hard to craft a new proposal.

“Our latest proposal gives our members the ability to opt out of the retiree medical plans if they get so cost prohibitive that they can’t afford to maintain the coverage in retirement, yet still have some money to pay for medical expenses they may incur,” said IBEW Assistant Business Manager Bill Dunn.

(Registered website members can view the entire IBEW and CMP proposals in the Members Only section of this website. The change made in the Union proposal from the last IBEW offer is reflected on page 5-6, “RETIREMENT PLAN MODIFICATIONS,” bullet #3.)

Negotiators for CMP are evaluating the Union proposal. Since Company negotiators were not available in the week beginning August 3, another bargaining session with CMP was scheduled for August 11.

The IBEW members in this bargaining unit have been trying to reach a new contract agreement with CMP and have been working without a contract since Friday, May 15. IBEW Local 1837 represents a total of approximately 700 workers at Central Maine Power Company.

Meanwhile, CMP workers and their allies from other unions and community groups continue to demonstrate their demand for a fair contract from the Company at rallies near CMP facilities in several Maine towns and cities. They line the sides of major roadways, often talking with passersby and sometimes distributing literature. Many cars driving by the rallies honk their horns to show their support for the workers. Most of the IBEW members wear red shirts at the demonstrations and some carry signs calling attention to what they call “CMP’s corporate greed.”

“The demonstrations show the Company – and the general public – that we are determined to get a fair contract,” said Bill Dunn. “We’ve been really amazed by the strong support from other unions and the community at large. It’s been a big boost for our members and our Negotiating Team.”

A schedule of demonstrations organized by IBEW workers at CMP is printed below.

Demonstration Schedule:
 
Alfred:
Route 202, near the Alfred/Sanford line
Thursday, 3:30pm – 5:00pm

 
Augusta:
Corner of Edison Drive and Western Avenue (Route 202)
Thursdays, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Fridays, 6:00am – 6:45am

 
Bridgton:
Route 302, Portland Road next to Hannaford Supermarket
Monday – Friday, 6:30am – 7:30am
 

Brunswick:
Bath Rd. in front of the Fire Station
Monday – Friday, 6:30am – 6:59am

Fairfield:
Near Hammond Tractor
Monday – Friday, 6:30am - 7:00am

Corner of Western Ave. and Main St.
Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Lewiston:
740 Main Street near Marden’s
Monday – Friday, 6:30am – 7:00am

Portland:
162 Canco Road
Monday – Friday, 6:30am – 7:00am

Corner of Canco Road and Washington Ave.
Wednesday, 3:40pm – 4:30pm

Rumford:
At the beginning of Industrial Park Road, near CMP
Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30am – 7:00am