Inside IBEW 1837

Union Members at FairPoint Approve New Contract and Return to Work on Feb. 25

AUGUSTA, ME (FEBRUARY 22, 2015 UNION NEWS RELEASE)—After three days of voting, IBEW and CWA members in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont have ratified tentative agreements with FairPoint Communications. The new agreements protect good jobs and ensure quality telecommunications service for New England communities.

IBEW Members at NextEra Ratify Contract

March 25, 2015 - Members of IBEW Local Union #1837 at NextEra have ratified a new 44-month contract.  The collective bargaining agreement includes wage adjustments for some classifications, yearly wage increases for all union members, and a change to benefits. While the negotiating team struggled with the company’s offer, they felt it was the best they were going to be able to achieve.

Aaron Gilman New E-Board Rep for Unit 10

April 3, 2015 -  Brother Aaron Gilman was sworn-in today as the new Unit 10 E-Board Representative at the Executive Board meeting in Manchester, Maine. Gilman was appointed by IBEW Local Union #1837 President Ray Colello to replace Brother Jeff Linscott who left the Bangor area to take a job in Fort Kent.

Gilman is employed by Emera Maine as a Lead Working Mechanic in Bangor. He began working at Bangor Hydro in 2006.

In the photo from left, Brother Gilman, Pat Cote, Lisa Bartell, President Ray Colello and Vice President Bill Tarallo administering the oath.

IBEW Members at Eversource Show Support for United Way Campaign

April 7, 2015 - Eversource (formerly known as PSNH) recently held its annual United Way campaign. Pam Paquette, Utility Group – Tilton Line and Becky Johnson, Generation – Schiller Station, have been the IBEW Local 1837’s union leadership serving as cabinet members. Pam and Becky were available to go to workplace campaign drives to assist and also authored correspondence from the Local encouraging members to take part in the campaign.  

IBEW Members at Portland TV Stations Narrowly Ratify New Contract

April 16, 2015 - A 3-year contract agreement has been ratified by IBEW Local #1837 members working at WGME and WPFO in Portland, Maine. The margin in favor of the new deal with the Sinclair Broadcast Group was the tightest in the union’s history at the CBS affiliate.

“It was clear from the discussions we had with members that most of them were very dissatisfied with the contract package,” IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers said. “I think that a narrow majority just felt that the Union Negotiating Team had probably gotten the best deal they could get from this company.”

Eversource Workers in MA Reach Tentative Agreement

June 2, 2015 - Negotiators for the Utility Workers Union of America Local 369 and Eversource have reached a tentative contract agreement for workers at the former NStar in Massachusetts. A strike threat had been looming for weeks, potentially affecting workers in New Hampshire employed by the Company.

According to the UWUA Local 369 website, a ratification vote has been scheduled for June 11. Challenging issues during weeks of negotiations included job security, working conditions and health care.

CSR's at Eversource in NH Make Second Bid to Join Union

UPDATE: July 8, 2015 - The final result of the NLRB election was a narrow Union loss 64 - 60. As a result these workers will continue to be unrepresented employees of Eversource.

June 29, 2015 - A majority of the Customer Service Representatives at Eversource Customer Experience in Manchester, New Hampshire (also known as the "Call Center") have signed union authorization cards to be represented by IBEW Local #1837. An election to certify the Union as their bargaining representative will be administered by the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday, July 8.

Popular Eversource System Electrician Retires After 45 Years

August 26, 2015 - It would be hard to find someone at Eversource more well-liked than Tom Rzasa, a System Electrician at 1250 Hooksett Rd. T&D who retired at the end of July after 45 years with the Company. A friendly and easy-going guy, Brother Rzasa has seen a lot of changes since he started at New Hampshire’s largest electric utility in 1970.

Union Members Celebrate Labor's Day in New Hampshire and Maine

September 1, 2015 - The first Monday in September is a day for workers: Labor's Day. It's a popular time for union members and their families to possibly enjoy one last taste of summer while taking stock of the many challenges facing working people today. Special guest speakers and awards are part of the program at some events sponsored by the two State AFL-CIO's and some Central Labor Councils.

IBEW 1837 Member’s Daughter Diagnosed with Rare Form of Leukemia; Union Encouraging Donations for Family

December 21, 2015 - The young daughter of an IBEW 1837 member will be spending this Christmas in the hospital suffering from a rare form of leukemia. Jazzlyn Giuffrida just celebrated her first birthday this month and is a patient at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland.

IBEW 1837's Ray Colello Steps Down After Nearly 25 Years as President

January 6, 2016 - Throughout the years, first as a Union Steward and Chief Steward in the 70’s and then as a Union Executive Board Representative throughout the 80’s, leading to his role as President of IBEW Local #1837 beginning in 1991, Ray Colello has always been a devout and dedicated trade unionist. His decision last month to pass the baton to Vice President Bill Tarallo to finish out his term was one he made because he thought it would be best for the Union.

IBEW Founders Scholarship Available for Members

The IBEW Founders' Scholarship honors the dedicated wiremen and linemen who, on November 28, 1891, organized the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Each year the officers of the IBEW are pleased to offer its working members scholarships on a competitive basis. It is hoped that the awards will not only contribute to the personal development of our members but also steward the electrical industry that our founders envisioned.

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