Peco strike deadline looms as IBEW 614 and the company return to the bargaining table
The company's unionized workers have said they will walk off the job if an agreement is not reached by the Fourth of July.
Peco and its worker union, IBEW local 614, resumed bargaining for a new contract Wednesday morning, with three days to go before a strike deadline and amid a heat wave that threatens to bring storms over the holiday weekend.
It’s their first time back at the table since June 19 and since the union announced plans to strike on the Fourth of July if a contract had not been reached by then. They’ve now scheduled back-to-back bargaining sessions Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, as time runs out.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia region is under an extreme heat warning, with possible thunderstorms on Saturday. Many of the union’s members work to repair outages, such as those that can happen during extreme weather.
“The temperature and the sustained heat generally causes a lot of issues, and the thunderstorms as well,” said Anastasi, adding that Peco needs “the trained workforce that they have to take care of it, and they’re not going to have that on July 4.”
Weather conditions are not a factor in the bargaining process, Peco spokesperson Candice Womer said, and the company “continuously monitors weather conditions and prepares to respond to impacts on the electric system as part of normal operations.”
The union, which represents roughly 1,500 field workers, call center staff, and other Peco employees, is seeking better wages and healthcare benefits, as well as a uniform retirement plan for all members. Their most recent five-year contract expired on March 31. Wages and benefits have become sticking points in negotiations.
This strike would be a first for Peco.
“We’ve exhausted every avenue to reach a deal,” IBEW Local 614 president Larry Anastasi said in a statement last week. “If Peco won’t invest in the workers who keep the lights on, we’ve got no choice but to stand together and demand the respect we’ve earned.”
Womer said Tuesday morning that the company’s goal remains “reaching a fair and equitable agreement that supports our employees while maintaining affordability and reliability for customers.”
» READ MORE: Peco’s union negotiations have turned ugly amid expired contract
Peco has proposed a nearly 20% increase in wages over five years, as well as improvements to retirement and medical benefits, Womer said.
“We remain committed to bargaining in good faith and hope continued discussions will lead to a successful resolution,” said Womer.
If union workers do walk off the job, customers should not expect any delays or interruptions in service, Peco has said. “Our customers can be assured that we have comprehensive contingency plans in place to maintain safe and reliable service under any circumstance,” Womer said.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office has been in communication with the union and Peco, spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky said in a statement Wednesday.
“The Shapiro administration’s focus in these negotiations is a fair outcome for the hardworking women and men of Local 614 and safe, reliable energy infrastructure in Southeastern Pennsylvania over the holiday weekend and throughout the summer,” said Lapowsky.
Anastasi said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has been “incredibly supportive.” A spokesperson for Parker declined to comment on “details of union negotiations, nor any private meetings she takes part in.”
