Inside IBEW 1837

Unitil Electric System Operators Seek to Join Union

August 2, 2012 - A majority of the Electric System Operators at Unitil Service Corp., Inc. in Portsmouth, New Hampshire have decided that they would like to be represented by IBEW Local 1837 for collective bargaining.

The System Operators indicated their interest in union representation by signing authorization cards that were submitted to the National Labor Relations Board. As a result of the Union's petition and the Company's refusal to voluntarily recognize the Union, the NLRB has scheduled a secret ballot election on Wednesday, September 5 in Portsmouth.

IBEW 1837 Members May Apply for Union Plus Scholarships

September 24, 2012 - Since 1992, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $3.4 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. Over 2,200 families have benefited from their commitment to higher education. The Union Plus Scholarship Program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation.

The 2013 Scholarship application is now available.

IBEW 1837 Members Ratify Contract at NH Electric Co-op and Avoid Strike

October 5, 2012 - IBEW Local 1837 members at the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative have ratified a new 5 1/2- year contract agreement that provides wage increases and preserves a defined benefit pension plan for current and new employees. The ratification vote prevented a looming strike at the utility that serves some 83,000 homes and business across 115 towns and cities.

Maggie Hassan Gets Rare IBEW 1837 Endorsement for NH Gov. in Final Weeks of Campaign

October 24, 2012 - The last two years have seen exhausting battles in Concord and Augusta against so-called “Right to Work” bills and other anti-worker initiatives. It is only because of the sustained, excellent work of labor activists and allies in both states that we were able to minimize the damage against working people and their unions.

CMP and IBEW 1837 Reach New AMI Agreement

November 2, 2012 - IBEW Local 1837 and Central Maine Power Company have signed a settlement agreement that essentially resolves all remaining issues resulting from the 2010 AMI Transition Agreement and a subsequent arbitration decision in favor of the union. Automated Metering Infrastructure (or "AMI") is the system that supports the so-called "Smart Meters" which can be read remotely and are now being used by the majority of CMP's customers.

Maine Public Service Customer Service Representatives Decide to Join Union

November 21, 2012 - Following up on a series of organizing victories in New Hampshire and Maine, IBEW 1837's membership development efforts have also paid off in Presque Isle. A majority of the Customer Service Representatives at Maine Public Service (MPS) have signed union authorization cards indicating that they want IBEW Local 1837 to represent them for the purpose of collective bargaining.

IBEW 1837 Effort Helps Electric System Operators at Unitil to Receive Back Pay

December 6, 2012 - Recently organized workers at Unitil's Centralized Electric Dispatch (CED) in Portsmouth will be receiving back pay as the result of unfair labor practice charges filed by IBEW Local 1837, and a settlement agreement between the National Labor Relations Board, Unitil Service Corporation and  the Union.

IBEW 1837 Members at NextEra Ratify One-Year Contract Extension

December 21, 2012 -  All terms of the current NextEra collective bargaining agreement have been extended one year to February 28, 2014 as a result of today's ratification vote by IBEW 1837 members employed by the Company. In addition, effective February 25, 2013, all employees will receive a 4% general wage increase while employees in the Production Specialist and Senior Production Tech A classifications will receive an additional 1.5% equity pay increase.

IBEW 1837 Speaks Out at Maine Energy, Utility and Technology Committee Orientation Session

January 22, 2013 - IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers and Assistant Business Manager Bill Dunn joined spokespeople and executives from Maine's electric utility and generation industry for a special orientation session of the Maine Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology at the Statehouse in Augusta. Representatives of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the Maine Public Advocate'soffice and ISO New England also spoke or made presentations.

Pole-Setting Pilot Project Seeks to Recoup Work for Union Members at CMP

February 15, 2013 - Pole-setting work being performed by a non-union outside contractor may return to members of IBEW Local 1837 employed at Central Maine Power as the result of an ongoing pilot program spearheaded by the Union. A pair of two-person IBEW-represented crews are already getting the job done effectively and efficiently in what looks like a win-win proposition for both the Union and the Company.

FMLA Celebrates 20th Anniversary But Many Workers Don't Know Their Rights

February 18, 2013 - The Family Medical Leave Act, most often known by the initials "FMLA," has been protecting the job security of workers facing a serious health concern of their own or the health condition of their spouse, parent or child for nearly 20 years, yet many workers know very little about it. You can download the employee book prepared by the Department of Labor if you click here or on the booklet at left.

NU Call Center Customer Service Reps Set to Vote in Union Election

March 13, 2013 - More than 150 Customer Service Representatives at the Northeast Utilities Manchester, New Hampshire "Customer Experience Center" will vote next month on whether they will be represented by IBEW Local 1837 for collective bargaining. Company representatives have already started their campaign against their workers forming a Union.

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