The Field Technicians and Field Technician Specialists at Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH) have voted to join IBEW Local 1837. 100% of the 35 eligible employees (who are also known as "Writers") participated by mail ballot in the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election. Representatives of the Union and the Company were on hand as the votes were tallied at the NLRB office in Boston on the morning of July 20, 2007.
The Union's election victory came at the end of a long and difficult campaign. After IBEW filed the petition to represent the "Writers" for the purpose of collective bargaining, PSNH proposed that the 35 Field Technicians and Field Technician Specialists be split up into 13 or 14 different bargaining units. Following a hearing on May 15 and 16, the NLRB’s Regional Director specifically found that “the Employer’s proposed units, each composed of a complement of two to four employees, are too small to warrant finding them appropriate.”
IBEW was alarmed and disappointed that PSNH waged a relentless and months-long campaign against the Writers' effort to join our union. PSNH hired an anti-union attorney to conduct mandatory anti-union meetings while refusing requests to grant Union representatives equal access.
"I'd like to congratulate the Writers at PSNH for all their hard work leading up to this wonderful victory," said IBEW Local 1837 Organizer Matt Beck. "I'm thrilled that they will be joining more than 450 other IBEW members already working for the Company."
Assistant Business Manager Tom Ryan also expressed satisfaction with the election results and looked forward to starting contract negotiations for our newest members. "I'm eager to get started," Ryan said. "I look forward to working with the Writers' Negotiating Team to begin making improvements in the working conditions for all the Field Technicians and Field Technician Specialists at PSNH."
"Writers" are responsible for work associated with the design, maintenance, construction and operation of the PSNH electric distribution system. PSNH, the largest electric utility in New Hampshire, provides electricity for more than 475,000 homes and businesses. PSNH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, a utility holding company based in Connecticut.
IBEW Local 1837 members work at PSNH locations all over New Hampshire. On the Generation side, they include Fossil and Hydro Generation Maintenance Personnel, Operations Personnel, Clerical Support, and Chemists. On the Utility side, Lineworkers, Meter Readers, Clerical Workers, Warehouse Personnel, Construction Mechanics, System & Field Electricians, and now, Field Technicians and Field Technician Specialists, are members of our Union.
