President Craig Pinkham Elected National Vice President Page 5
UTILITY WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA LOCAL 369
THE CURRENT WINTER 2022 NEWSLETTER
C ON T EN T S 03 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 04 TREASURER’S REPORT 0 5 C R A I G P I N K H A M E L EC T E D U W U A N AT I O N A L V I C E P R E S I D E N T 0 6 B A R G A I N I N G U P D AT E S 0 8 U N I O N U P D AT E S 0 9 L O B B Y I N G F O R A N EQ U I TA B L E E N E R G Y EC O N O M Y 10 STORM RELIEF WORK 1 2 M Y S T I C P O W E R P L A N T + P I L G R I M N U C L E A R P O W E R S TAT I O N 14 VETER ANS CLOTHING DRIVE 1 5 T H E I N F R A S T R U C T U R E B I L L’ S I M PA C T O N E N E R G Y 1 6 M AY M E M B E R S H I P M E E T I N G N O T I C E 17 PL AN FOR YOUR RE TIREMENT 18 REMEMBERING U W UA PRESIDENT DONALD WIGHTMAN 19 IN MEMORIAM AND RE TIREES
ABOUT OUR MEMBERS UWUA Local 369 represents over 2,900 workers across the utility industry in Massachusetts. Our members are proud to bring power, heat, and telecommunications to homes and businesses across the Commonwealth. We’re dedicated to fighting for our members and all working families in Massachusetts.
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT
CRAIG A. PINKHAM BROTHERS AND SISTERS, I hope this article finds you and your families safe and well. Although we cannot believe that we are nearing the two-year mark of this pandemic, I am not surprised at how successful our entire membership has been under such challenging times. We are full of hope as we see numbers improving across the state, mask mandates being lifted, and policy and CDC guidelines adjusting accordingly, indicating that a return to normalcy is in sight.
taking what we have built here together in Massachusetts and expanding on it for the benefit of our brothers and sisters across the country. Our union is in a good place! Our contracts are the best in the country. Our finances are the strongest in the history of the Local. Our membership is engaged, and our safety and training committee is a model across the industry that is more than qualified to take on the challenges that new technology will bring to the utility and energy industry.
2021 was an exciting year for Local 369, as our union successfully negotiated eleven (11) new collective bargaining agreements. We are already on track to have an equally successful 2022, already ratifying five (5) new contracts at Exelon, National Grid, and SQUAN (page 6).
Serving as the president of Local 369 has been the privilege of a lifetime. I would like to thank each of you for your support, for your loyalty, for your trust, and for your many contributions to our great union. I will always cherish my 22 years with Local 369, everything I have learned from this incredible team, and all you, my friends, who have become like family.
There’s also good news for workers at the national level. We are excited to share information about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal passed by Congress in the fall (page 15). As the largest infrastructure investment in our country’s history, the deal promises to support clean, reliable energy, to create quality union jobs through a new clean energy power infrastructure, and to help alleviate the burden of home energy costs on American families. Local 369 understands the need for green energy in this country and we are looking forward to the opportunities that will open to UWUA members in the future. Our members continue to answer the call and do what it takes to serve our communities. Storms create outages and emergencies across our region (page 10) but each time, Local 369 members deliver both on the ground and in our call centers to restore power. Members even joined the recovery efforts in Louisiana following the devastation of Hurricane Ida. Together, we kept thousands of families safe and sound while helping communities recover. Thank you for your dedicated service to our customers and our communities. This will be my last column as president of Local 369. I would like to echo the recent announcement regarding my election to the role of national vice president of the UWUA. I am deeply honored by my unanimous election, and I look forward to
Finally, I look forward to continuing my work with Local 369 in this exciting new capacity and to advocating for all of UWUA’s hardworking members and our families. I have no doubt that great things lie ahead for this union, starting with Secretary-Treasurer Dan Leary serving as acting president and the upcoming election to officially elect a new president. Thank you all again for your hard work and commitment to this union and for your friendship. Local 369 is proof that we are stronger together and I couldn’t be more proud. Remember, it is never about the money… because it is ALWAYS about the money! Sincerely,
Craig A. Pinkham President UWUA Local 369
UWUA LOCAL 369 | WINTER 2022 NEWSLETTER
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TREASURER’S REPORT: DEFENDING FRONTLINE WORKERS
BROTHERS AND SISTERS, If you are interested in starting your retirement planning or in learning more about the process, please reach out to the union hall. We can always help you think through the options, whether an unanticipated change means you are moving toward retirement within the next month, or it’s the very start of planning and considering this next major step. For those with high school seniors looking ahead to college or post-high school education, there are many scholarships available for the children of union members. UWUA Local 369’s scholarship applications are open now through April 15. It is a great time to look into available scholarships and encourage your student to check in with their guidance counselor since many scholarships are now accepting applications. In other news, the UWUA Local 369 office this winter has successfully completed our annual audit by an independent auditor. The audit is an expected
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WINTER 2022 NEWSLETTER | UWUA LOCAL 369
process that occurs regularly to help us preserve and protect our members’ resources through a careful, thorough review. I would also like to take a moment to congratulate Local 369’s Craig Pinkham on his election to the role of UWUA national vice president. During his time at our local, Craig has served our members fearlessly and won us many important victories, truly shaping our union into what it is today. I am honored to serve as Local 369’s new acting president and will strive to serve our membership with the same dedication and fortitude that Craig has over the past seven years. We all look forward to continuing to work with Craig in his new role at the national level. In Solidarity, DAN LEARY UWUA Local 369 Secretary-Treasurer
CRAIG PINKHAM ELECTED UWUA NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT It is with great pride and excitement that Local 369 announces President Craig Pinkham’s official election to the role of UWUA Vice President at the national level! In his new role, Craig will represent our UWUA brothers and sisters across the country under the direction of President James Slevin. Local 369 extends our most heartfelt congratulations to Craig for this well-deserved honor. It is an exciting next step in his career after 22 years of unwavering dedication to our local union. We also thank Craig with sincere gratitude for his many contributions to Local 369. As a skilled negotiator, Craig won dozens of important victories for the 3,000 hardworking members and families of our local union. He has worked tirelessly to improve our wages, benefits, and working conditions. As a leader, Craig embodied the fortitude, professionalism, expertise, and solidarity that it takes to be a union member. We know that as national vice president, Craig will continue to fight and win for all of us.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the members and families of UWUA Local 369,” said Pinkham. “Although it will be hard to part with our union hall and all the friendly faces who have become like family to me, I know our work together isn’t done. I am honored and excited to continue serving Local 369 and all our UWUA brothers and sisters at the national level.” Per Local 369’s bylaws, Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Leary will serve as Local 369 acting president until the election committee orders nominations for a new president. Dan has been a diligent steward of the union’s finances and worked closely with President Pinkham to meet the needs of the Local 369 members. Local 369 thanks President Pinkham for his hard work and dedication throughout the years advocating for our members and keeping our union strong. We look forward to the incredible work he will achieve as national vice president.
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BARGAINING UPDATES Exelon at Medway - Success! Local 369 members ratified a new (5) five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement: 2 2.5% General Wage Increase (GWI) each year 2 $1,500.00 ratification bonus 2 Increased vacation allotment 2 Increased shift differential to $1.75 2 Increased meal allowance to $13.00 2 Increased boot allowance to $225 2 Removed the lifetime $36,000 max Retiree Medical Savings Account (RMSA) cap 2 Company RMSA deposit - $400 per year of service 2 Lead classification upgrade of $3.00 per hour 2 $1.00 per hour increase for 1B, 1C, or 3A Hoisting License
National Grid - Success! Ratified a four (4) year extension for our three (3) expiring contracts. The new 4-year agreement offers: 2 3.0% wage increases each year 2 No changes to existing medical plan design 2 Subcommittees to address operational and safety/training issue
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In Favor
Against
Nantucket Electric Orange Book
10
00
100%
Brockton Red Book
90
24
79%
Malden Red Book
68
22
76%
Waltham Red Book
29
05
85%
Northborough Purple Book
67
10
87%
WINTER 2022 NEWSLETTER | UWUA LOCAL 369
SQUAN (Elec Comm) - Success!
Liberty Utilities (Fall River Gas)
2 Expires on August 31, 2022
2 Expires April 30, 2022
2 We reached a 3 year contract extension with 3.0% general wage increases and a 1% increase to the company match on employer 401k contribution.
2 Contract negotiations began on February 16.
JLL/Pfizer After winning the NLRB election for the ten (10) member unit in Andover, we began negotiations in October for our first contract with JLL — a commercial real estate services company servicing a power plant owned by Pfizer.
Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant 2 Expires March 31, 2022 2 Contract negotiations began on February 7.
City Generators, LLC. 2 Expires April 17, 2022 2 We will be working with owner and member Mike Gates on an updated Collective Bargaining Agreement.
National Grid (Webster Gas) 2 Expires on June 23, 2022 2 Contract surveys will be sent out during the first week of May.
Liberty Utilities Call Center 2 Expires October 25, 2022 2 Contract surveys will be sent out in the first week of September.
UNION UPDATES New Building in North Quincy
Congratulations, Brian Hannon
2 Local 369 is pleased to announce a new location for our Local 369 union hall coming this year! In December, we closed on a new building located at 68-70 Sagamore Street in North Quincy to replace the Braintree office. The building was formerly a bank, post office, Boilermakers’ union office, and training center. Once the renovation process is complete, this building will be our new union hall, office, meeting area, and conference center. We are excited to open this new space to members! We will provide relevant updates in the coming months.
2 Our local union is proud of the hard work and dedication exhibited by regional Safety Chair Brian Hannon. He has done a tremendous job as the Region I Safety Representative and has made our Safety Committee a productive and accountable resource for all our members. Hannon participated in this year’s P4A Training in Action Virtual Conference, and we were all proud to see him represent Local 369 at the national level.
Accepting Nominations for President 2 Local 369 congratulates Craig Pinkham on his new role as UWUA Vice President at the national level. We must also look ahead to elect a new president for Local 369 in an official union election. Nominations will be accepted on May 1 at the regular membership meeting. See page 16 for more details.
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LOBBYING FOR AN EQUITABLE ENERGY ECONOMY In a joint analysis, the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) advocate for the government to provide federal resources to support coal workers and communities affected by our economy’s pending transition from coal-powered energy to clean energy. The UWUA and UCS found that the Biden administration’s plan for a low-carbon economy will require a $33 billion to $83 billion investment in programs and policies to ensure that coal workers, families, and communities survive this transition. This new energy economy will benefit the environment, but coal and mining facilities across the country expect to close. In 2019, there were approximately 90,086 employed coal miners and coal power plant workers in 462 counties across 47 states, according to the UCS/ UWUA analysis. However, the decrease in demand for coal power has uprooted families, led to generational poverty, and reduced tax revenue and community services — such as funding for education and emergency response. The analysis proposes several policies and resources that would address these issues, such as: 2 Five years of full-wage replacement 2 Health care coverage and employer retirement contributions 2 Paid tuition for academic, vocational, and other programs for up to five years for workers and children 2 Increased access to social services UWUA and UCS are urging the Biden administration and Congress to work together to develop policies and fund programs to protect and improve the lives of coal workers and communities as our economy undergoes this significant change.
Based on an article featured on UWUA.net
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STORM RELIEF WORK Thank you to our UWUA Local 369 members who were part of the hardworking utility crews that worked around the clock to restore power to Massachusetts homes and businesses after this year's Nor'easter hit New England. We also want to recognize our members who were part of the numerous recovery efforts in Louisiana following the devastation of Hurricane Ida.
We appreciate your immense dedication to helping countless communities recover during difficult times.
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UWUA LOCAL 369 | WINTER 2022 NEWSLETTER
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L E A D I N G T H E W AY ON DECOMMISSIONING
MYSTIC POWER PLANT In May 2021, Mystic 7 in Everett shut down after more than 45 years in service. Our highly trained members worked on decommissioning the power plant. During this process, professionals dismantle and withdraw the power plant's nuclear capabilities by removing hazardous nuclear fuel from the reactor to neutralize the site safely and completely. UWUA Local 369 members Rick Cross, Bob Kiklis, Mike Quinn, and Charles Oliver completed the decommissioning project in late August. They worked carefully to prevent the power plant's waste tanks from dangerously impacting the surrounding environment. As a result, our members decommissioned Mystic 7 safely and efficiently. We held productive bargaining sessions and added four (4) CCOs to the Mystic 8 and 9 bargaining units. We also found positions for everyone who wanted to continue working with the company. Members who planned to retire received a year's salary and health care benefits while collecting their pension. Thank you to all involved for your hard work on this project!
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WINTER 2022 NEWSLETTER | UWUA LOCAL 369
PILGRIM NUCLEAR POWER STATION On May 31, 2019, Entergy’s Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station located in Plymouth, MA, shut down after safely providing about 17 percent of the state’s electrical power for more than 46 years. After being purchased by Holtec International in August 2019, the plant went into decommissioning. Our members promptly moved the nuclear fuel to a safe location away from water sources once removed from the reactor. Their efficient work put the project ahead of the decommissioning schedule. Due to the decommissioning of the plant and corresponding mass layoffs, Local 369 will no longer have a footprint at this site. Local 369 negotiated robust severance packages with generous benefits and pay for our Pilgrim Power Plant members. We have also successfully relocated all qualified employees. We thank and congratulate all the Local 369 members who have worked hard throughout the years and decommissioning process.
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LOCAL 369’S
VETERANS CLOTHING DRIVE The UWUA Local 369 Veterans Committee hosted its annual clothing drive to provide winter clothes for local veterans in need throughout December. We proudly donated more than 20 boxes of clothing to Vietnam Veterans of America just in time for the holidays. Thank you to everyone who donated to support the brave men and women of our military. Local 369 Business Agent Bob Senier led the clothing drive. Senier has spearheaded the drive for over five years. He succeeds Pat Young—Veterans Committee chairman and lifetime UWUA member who passed away last year. "As a veteran, and by watching how good Pat was at leading the veterans efforts over the years, I was inspired to step up and take over when he retired," said Senier, head of the Veterans Committee and Marine Corps veteran. "He was just a great guy and he did hard work for the veterans." We extend a special thank you to Ronnie Conway, who drove clothes from Nantucket to the mainland by ferry during his weekend, and Chris Brolin and Pat Rodden, who also donated their time to help organize and transport the clothing.
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WINTER 2022 NEWSLETTER | UWUA LOCAL 369
Local 369 prioritizes giving back to the community in whatever way we can. I’m thankful that I’ve been able to do my part to help those in need,” said Bob. “This year was definitely a success and we’re thankful for everyone who contributed.” — Bob Senier, Local 369 Business Agent
THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL’S IMPACT ON ENERGY On November 15, President Biden signed the $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill into law—the largest infrastructure investment in our country’s history. The historic legislation will: 2 Create high-quality union jobs and millions of hours of work for our members 2 Invest $65 billion to upgrade the power infrastructure, building thousands of miles of new, resilient transmission lines to facilitate the expansion of renewables and clean energy 2 Invest $7.5 billion to build out a national network of EV chargers 2 Rebuild our roads, bridges, and railroads 2 Expand Americans’ access to high-speed internet Under this deal, new power infrastructure will will lower energy costs for families and communities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal’s historic approach to rebuilding America’s infrastructure will help our country achieve a sustainable future while providing union jobs to support working and low-income families.
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UNION MEETING Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO — Local 369 Regular Membership Meeting Place: Date: Time:
Local 369 Union Hall 120 Bay State Drive, Braintree, MA Sunday, May 1, 2022 10:00 A.M.
1. Regular Order of business. 2. Vote on by-law proposals per Article XII, Amendments, Section I 3. Nominations for President in accordance with Article IV, Section 2 of Local 369’s bylaws 4. Swearing in of new members Fraternally, Daniel Leary Acting – President
Craig M. Connolly Acting – Secretary-Treasurer
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WINTER 2022 NEWSLETTER | UWUA LOCAL 369
PLAN FOR YOUR RETIREMENT The majority of Americans are not financially prepared for retirement. 3 in 4 workers are saving for retirement but report that they are not saving enough to have a sufficient retirement income, according to a 2021 survey from the Insured Retirement Institute. Saving and planning for retirement can be difficult and overwhelming, but it does not have to be. At UWUA Local 369, we are committed to ensuring that our members feel confident about their retirement planning and preparing for the future. That’s why we partnered with Boston Retirement Group (BRG). BRG can support you in your retirement planning, whether you plan to retire within the next month, or 30 years from now. BRG provides our members with free resources, including professional advice and workshops, to support you each step of the way.
For more information and to start planning your future, reach out to our BRG financial advisor:
Patrick Nee Boston Retirement Group Financial Advisor Phone: 401-742-8009 Email: info@bostonretirementgroup.com BostonRetirementGroup.com
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REMEMBERING FORMER 369 MEMBER AND INTERNATIONAL UWUA PRESIDENT
DONALD WIGHTMAN It is with the most sincere respect and fondness that we remember our UWUA brother and president, Donald E. Wightman, who passed away on November 16, 2021, in Walpole, Massachusetts. Don started his career in 1957 and progressed through the UWUA ranks. He began as a Local 369 Union Steward, moved to Secretary-Treasurer, Local 369 Union President, National Vice President, and finally, National President, a role he served in from 1995 through his retirement in 2006. As a principal negotiator at many bargaining tables throughout his career, Don’s passion for the union and welfare of our members shined through as he fought tirelessly. Even after retirement, Don continued dedicating his life to his union and community. He volunteered full-time at the SHINE Center in Walpole, helping seniors obtain benefits and medical assistance. Don touched the lives of so many, and our communities are better today because of him. We strive to continue his legacy, and we hope his story inspires members for decades to come.
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IN MEMORIAM & RETIREES In Memoriam Donald Wightman Richard “Dick” Hatton Bill Loring Jennifer Cusson Ed Gonet
Jane Terranova Francis “Mike” Moge Michael D. Buckley Joseph M. Dolan Jacky Kane
Nick Gaudino Arthur Brown Nicholas Bouras Bob Clancy
Doyle, Joe Duhamel, James G Fiore, Jim Finnigan, Christine Flanagan, Dennis Folkins, Peter Fredette, Pierre E French, Earl Richard Geanacopoulos, Thomas Glynn, William “Billy” Grant, Terrance Griffin, William Grzela, Richard Harris, Mark Haynes, Asalean Howard, Thomas Hubacheck, Stephen Kadlick, Janice
Kelly, Paul J King, David Kornegay, Jeffery Latosek, James P Leahy, Dan MacCarthy, Michael Mackay, Shirley Mackin, Ronald “Ronnie” Machado, Donna Marie Manchester, Larry Marrero, David Maxim, David Leonard Mazzei, Frank McColgan, David Merner, Neil Mullins, John O’Donnell, Maureen O’Leary, Robert
Retirees Arnpriester, Michael Augenti, Christopher A Bechtold, Robert Borges, Linda M Bouras, Nick Brady, Michael P. Buckley, Michael D Canniff, Sean Cannulie-Palie, Joyce Cassidy, Lawrence M Cisternelli, Edward Clancy, Michael Cobb, Jr. Daniel Colon, Christine Couto, David M Davis, Thomas Davis, Sumner P Devane, Phil
O’Sullivan Debra Porreca, Ronald Rogers, Mark W Ronayne, John “Jack” Rose, Stephen J Saniuk, Chester “Chet” Santos, Jack Shea, Sandy Sheehan, Paula Tran, Hai Vitale, Joseph R Walsh, Francis Charles Wright, Walter
STAY CONNECTED WITH LOCAL 369 Through storms, blizzards, and even a pandemic — our strength comes from our connections with each other. That's why we're asking all Local 369 members to ensure that your contact information is updated with the Union Hall. Stay up to date on all the latest news through emails, texts, and our quarterly newsletter. Just scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to update your contact information:
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UWUA Local 369 120 Bay State Drive Braintree, MA 02184
UWUA369.org /UWUALocal369
