Welcome to IBEW 1837

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1837 is proud to represent approximately 1,600 working men and women all over Maine and New Hampshire. Most of our members work at electric utilities or broadcasting stations throughout the two states. We work at companies such as Central Maine Power, Eversource in New Hampshire, and WGME-TV 13, just to name a few! IBEW Union Local 1837 maintains two offices to better serve our members—one in Manchester, Maine and the other in Manchester, New Hampshire. The office in Maine includes a separate building with a conference room and meeting area for union programs and training sessions.

WGME-TV Employees Demand Fair Pay
Members of IBEW Local 1837 at WGME-TV (CBS 13) gathered near the television station in Portland in early December for an informational picket. The members, which include Photographers, News Producers, Directors, News Editors, Assignment Editors, Operating Technicians, Maintenance Engineers, and Creative Producers, are fighting for better pay and working conditions in their contract negotiations with Sinclair Broadcast Group.
The picket, held on Washington Avenue near the corner of Allen Avenue, was prompted by Sinclair’s willingness to meet only once since early September. While holding signs... Read More
Unit Meetings Resume After Summer Break
Unit meetings for IBEW Local 1837 are back after a brief break.  Members had voted in late spring or early summer to temporarily suspend their meetings during the traditional summer vacation months. While most begin in September, Units 6 and 7 will start in October.
There are eleven-unit meetings held each month throughout New Hampshire and Maine for our members to attend.
Many of these meetings will continue to be held at their regular times and locations, but there are a few changes:


Unit 3, Laconia will resume in September, and will be held at 4:00 p.m. and will alternate... Read More
2024 NH AFL-CIO Linda Horan Scholarship Program
The New Hampshire AFL-CIO is once again offering the Linda Horan Scholarship Program for the 2024-2025 academic year, which aims to address the rising costs of higher education while honoring the memory of Sister Linda Horan, a dedicated member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and former Chair of the Scholarship Committee. Sister Linda, who battled cancer and passed away in 2016, had a profound commitment to supporting the next generation and creating opportunities for their educational pursuits.
More information including an application can be found on... Read More
Unit Meetings Suspended for Summer Months
Following a vote by the members, unit meetings in IBEW Local 1837 are temporarily suspended for the 2024 summer season.  
To see the Summer 2024 Schedule: click here
While this temporary suspension is in effect, we want to assure you we remain committed to maintaining open lines of communication and meeting the needs of all our members. We encourage you to contact the local union for any assistance you may require during this time.
Strong Contract Gains, Job Security Secured for Versant Members
IBEW Local 1837 members at Versant ratified a 3-year collective bargaining agreement in early July after federal mediation was brought in to help the Union and the Company bridge remaining gaps during negotiations. The contract includes significant improvements to wages, benefits, working conditions, and a key victory in protecting job security.
All classifications will see general wage increases of 4% in 2025, 3% in 2026, and 3% in 2027. In addition, several positions will see market adjustments.
"These targeted market adjustments are crucial to remaining competitive in the labor market,"... Read More
Versant Lineman Named Steward of the Year
IBEW Local 1837 member Greg Middleton, a first-class lineworker at Versant Power, has been selected as the 2024 Shop Steward of the Year by a special committee at the Maine AFL-CIO. Middleton received his award at the upcoming COPE Convention Awards Banquet on Thursday, June 27, in Auburn. He was nominated for the award by members of IBEW Local 1837.
“Greg embodies everything one could hope for in a union member and steward,” IBEW Local 1837 wrote in its nomination. “His proactive approach and relentless support for his co-workers make him an exemplary candidate for this recognition.”... Read More
1837 Member Matthew Beck Elected to Maine House
There’s a familiar and friendly face serving constituents in Augusta. South Portland voters elected IBEW Local 1837 member Matthew Beck to represent them in the Maine House of Representatives for District 122. 
Beck, who served as an Organizer and Business Representative for the local for decades before his retirement in April 2023, secured a decisive victory with more than 70% of the vote in a special election held in March.  He will serve the remainder of the term for the late Rep. Lois Galgay Reckitt, a longtime champion of human rights, who passed away at the age of 78 from... Read More
1837 Honored for Protecting Union Utility Jobs
IBEW Local 1837 was honored at the 17th Annual National Labor and Management Public Affairs Committee (LAMPAC) conference in Washington, D.C., for its successful efforts in protecting hundreds of union utility jobs in Maine. 
In March, Assistant Business Manager, Renee Gilman, accepted the Edwin D. Hill Award, on behalf of the union. The award is named after the former IBEW International President who co-founded LAMPAC with the Edison Electrical Institute in 2007.
The award recognized Local 1837’s campaign against Question 3, a 2023 Maine referendum that threatened to allow the state... Read More
1837 Members, Retirees Help Defeat “Right-to-Work” Bills in NH
IBEW Local 1837 members and retirees played a crucial role in defeating the two pieces of harmful, anti-union legislation - one in the New Hampshire House and one in the New Hampshire Senate.
The House version of so-called "right-to-work", HB1377-FN, underwent two public hearings in January and February. Union workers and their supporters passionately testified against the bill, which would have permitted workers to benefit from a bargaining unit without contributing anything toward the costs of representation. Diminished resources weaken the ability of unions to negotiate better wages,... Read More
Following Lewiston Tragedy, 1837 Members at WGME Recognized for Outstanding Journalism
Three members of IBEW Local 1837 at WGME in Portland have been nominated for a New England Emmy Award in the category of "Best Newscast (Small Market)."
The nominations recognize the outstanding journalism work of News Producer and Steward Alison Murtagh, Chief News Producer Ted Homer, and Director Ethan Crooker, following the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston last October. 
“I’m honored to be nominated along such a great group of people,” said Alison Murtagh. “Together, we were able to keep the state of Maine informed during a very difficult time.  The city of Lewiston will always... Read More