FairPoint, IBEW, and CWA Reach Tentative Agreements
February 19, 2015 - BREAKING NEWS/UNION NEWS RELEASE: FairPoint Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRP); System Council T-9 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (AFL-CIO) Locals 2320, 2326, and 2327; and the Communications Workers of America (AFL-CIO) Local 1400 are pleased to announce that today they have reached tentative agreements on the terms for new collective bargaining agreements.
The Company and the Unions agree that the terms of their new collective bargaining agreements will address, in meaningful and constructive ways, the objectives of the parties and that the new... Read More
IBEW 1837 Welcomes New Office Manager Laurie Kelley as Debbie Owen Retires
December 18, 2014 - Laurie Kelley has become the new full-time Office Manager of IBEW Local Union #1837, working out of the Maine office in Manchester, Maine. Laurie succeeds longtime Office Manager Debbie Owen, who recently retired after nearly 35 years at the Local.
For many of our members, the Union Office Manager is the friendly and professional voice on the other end of the telephone. The Office Manager answers multiple lines in our Manchester, Maine office, frequently fielding urgent inquiries from members looking for help with a problem at work.
Among the other responsibilities of the... Read More
Portland Holiday FunkFest for FairPoint Strikers on December 22
December 12, 2014 — A lineup of some of Portland’s most prominent musicians is holding a “Holiday FunkFest for FairPoint Strikers” on Monday, December 22, at Empire music hall. The evening will be headlined by the eight-piece band Model Airplane. Adam Waxman and Joe Farrell and special guest Kenya Hall will also perform.
The announcement of the benefit concert at Empire marks the latest surge in public support for the FairPoint strikers. Since the strike began on October 17, the workers’ relief fund has received nearly $150,000 in donations.
“The community support we’ve received has... Read More
Support Striking Union Workers at FairPoint
November 1, 2014 - Although IBEW Local #1837 does not represent these workers, we are proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in their struggle for a fair contract.
A strike fund for workers at FairPoint is raising money to support members of IBEW and CWA with urgent financial needs. Show solidarity with your union brothers and sisters in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Every donation will be greatly appreciated. To contribute, make checks payable to IBEW-CWA Solidarity Fund and mail them to 21 Gabriel Dr, Augusta, ME 04330, or visit www.gofundme.com/ibew-cwa-strike-relief
These... Read More
Election 2014: Gubernatorial Contests are Top Labor Concern
October 22, 2014 - Re-election campaigns for the Governors of New Hampshire and Maine have been getting plenty of attention from members of IBEW Local #1837 and other pro-worker groups. New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan has been a consistent union ally while Maine Governor Paul LePage has supported union-busting “Right to Work” legislation. Both are seeking their second terms on Tuesday, November 4.
In recent letters to our represented members, IBEW 1837 Business Manager Dick Rogers and President Ray Colello continued to stress that their top priority remains giving members the best... Read More
New 2-year Contract at Sea-3 Ratified
July 17, 2014 - IBEW 1837 members at Sea-3 have ratified a new, 2-year contract with an immediate 4 ½% wage increase. Sea-3 is a propane terminal facility in Newington, New Hampshire.
Union members agreed that Operators would assume extra duties that were previously performed by managerial staff and some represented members.  Those employees no longer work at Sea-3 and were not replaced by the Company. That portion of the agreement will terminate at the end of the contract term or if new employees are hired to fill those jobs.
The new collective bargaining agreement contains no other... Read More
IBEW 1837 Members Elect Union Leaders for 3-Year Terms
June 20, 2014 - Dick Rogers was re-elected as Business Manager/Financial Secretary and Ray Colello was re-elected as President of IBEW Local 1837 following a   mail-in secret ballot election. Ballots were counted today with Election Judge Cynthia Phinney helping to supervise the tally at our Union Local office in Manchester, Maine. She was aided in the count by Election Teller Bob McNeff.
Also re-elected to their posts were Vice President Bill Tarallo, Secretary Pamela Paquette and Treasurer Kerry Guptill. Re-elected to... Read More
IBEW Members at CMP Ratify New Contract
May 6, 2014 - Members of  IBEW 1837 in Central Maine Power Company's largest bargaining unit have ratified a new 3-year, 10-month contract agreement. Union members cast their ballots at various CMP service centers on Tuesday, May 6. A meeting of the membership was held in Gardiner on Sunday, May 4 to discuss the proposal and the Union Negotiating Team’s positive recommendation for ratification. While the Local’s policy is not to share the percentages of the results of the vote, the Negotiating Team was pleased that 92% of the membership turned out to cast their ballots.
The contract... Read More
Two Members of IBEW 104 Die in Boon Crane Collapse
April 12, 2014 - Two members of IBEW Local Union #104 have died in a boon crane collapse while working in Bourne, Massachusetts. The worksite was off the Scenic Highway near Cape Cod. One of the accident victims was identified in news reports as 34-year-old John Loughran.
Additional details may be found in a news story published  by Boston television station WCVB-TV 5. Please keep our union brothers and their families in your thoughts and prayers
CMP Contract Talks Set To Start
April 7, 2014 - Negotiators for IBEW Local Union #1837 and Central Maine Power are prepared to begin negotiations next week on a successor contract agreement for the large production bargaining unit. The current agreement runs through the end of this month.
Union members rejected the Company’s offer of a modified 3-year contract extension last week.
 The Union Negotiating Team and Company representatives will begin contract talks on Tuesday, April 15. Five sessions between the two sides had previously been scheduled.
 There are close to 600 members in this, the largest bargaining... Read More