April 1, 2008 - Workers at Granite Ridge Energy in Londonderry, New Hampshire have ratified their first union contract, a three-year deal with substantial wage increases for most workers. The power plant workers voted to join IBEW Local 1837 on August 4, 2006. The represented workers include all maintenance and operating personnel at the plant.

“Our new members at Granite Ridge have shown tremendous determination in staying together through this long process, resulting in good language for the contract,” said IBEW Assistant Business Manager Tom Ryan. “I’m also pleased that we’ve been able to establish classifications for each job with a corresponding wage rate. Within each classification, we’ve established a progression schedule from entry level to top pay with a corresponding increase at each step.”

Tentative agreement has been reached at Granite Ridge Energy in Londonderry, NH, for a first contract between IBEW 1837 and NAES (North American Energy Services). Following a union election and months of negotiation, the parties today (March 18, 2008) reached tentative agreement on a three-year contract package. The package will be voted on by eligible employees at Granite Ridge on Monday, March 24 between 4:00 and 9:00pm at the Plumbers and Pipefitters union hall in Hooksett.

In the wee hours of December 13, tentative agreement was reached for a contract package between FPLE-Maine and IBEW Local 1837. If ratified by the membership, the proposed contract will take effect when the current contract expires at the end of February, although some wage provisions will take effect right after the new year.

One major feature of the new contract is a provision that allows employees who gain the required skills to progress into higher classifications without waiting for openings.

A detailed summary of the tentative agreement is available to IBEW 1837 members. The members will vote on December 21 to accept or reject the package.

IBEW 1837 Negotiating Committee takes a quick break during bargaining. Following difficult negotiations that included almost two days of federal mediation, IBEW 1837 members at the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative have ratified a five-year contract. The agreement includes an increase in the meal allotment and wage increases in each of the five years. The Negotiating Committee was satisfied with the contract and it was approved by IBEW 1837 members at the Co-op by a ratification vote on Thursday, October 4, 2007.

The contract calls for a 65 cents revaluation in the wage paid to Lineworkers I, Working Foremen and District Representatives. That adjustment will come prior to the annual pay increases of 3.5%, 3.5%, 3.25%, 3%, and 3% for all represented members.

IBEW 1837’s agreement with the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative has been augmented by the addition of storm language in and out of Co-op territory. A small increase in the meal allowance is another improvement in the pact. Member payment percentages for health insurance that were negotiated last fall will remain in effect.

This story was originally published in the Summer 2007 issue of The Current.

If you owned coastal property in Maine or New Hampshire and weather forecasters said that a hurricane was barreling up the Atlantic Coast, you would probably batten down the hatches, stock up on groceries and flashlight batteries, hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. If the hurricane passed us by, well, you could still make good use of those supplies. If we took a direct hit from Mother Nature, you’d be all set to ride out the storm.

By the same token, when the forecast calls for upcoming contract bargaining at one of our represented companies, members ought to consider getting their financial house in order—just in case negotiations turn stormy. All too many of us live from paycheck-to-paycheck, and the threat of missing even a single week’s pay can make some of the most resolute union members think twice about the impact loss of wages might have on them and their families. Unfortunately, negotiators at our represented companies know this.