Strong IBEW 1837 Showing at Summer Institute

Nine members of IBEW Local 1837, representing Central Maine Power (CMP), Versant, Unitil, New Hampshire Electric Co-op, and Eversource, spent two days sharpening their skills and building solidarity at the Maine AFL-CIO Labor Summer Institute in Orono on August 13–14, 2025. They were joined by longtime IBEW 1837 members, State Representative Matt Beck of South Portland, and Maine AFL-CIO President Cynthia Phinney. 

Hosted at the University of Maine’s Wells Conference Center in partnership with the UMaine Bureau of Labor Education, this year’s Institute focused on shop stewards - past, present, and future - with a mix of hands-on workshops and informal peer learning designed to strengthen day-to-day representation and organizing. Sessions ran over two full days, giving members space to trade tactics, troubleshoot workplace issues, and connect across locals and industries. 

The Summer Institute is a cornerstone of Maine’s labor education calendar, bringing union members together to share strategies that make a difference back on the job - whether that’s enforcing the contract on the shop floor, recruiting and supporting new stewards, or preparing for bargaining. IBEW 1837’s delegation reflected the wide range of our local, with participants from utility employers across Maine and New Hampshire committing to bring home practical tools and trainings for their coworkers.