Peco workers vote to authorize a strike, but have not stopped working

Hundreds of Peco union workers have voted to strike if their union calls for it, paving the way for what would be the first time in the company’s history that employees walk off the job.

Over 100 Peco workers and supporters gathered in a parking lot in Plymouth Meeting on Saturday morning as a food truck doled out Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef sandwiches and some played cornhole.

Some in attendance held signs that read: “Fair contract now,” and “Ready to strike if we have to.” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer” could be heard playing through a speaker.

The roughly 1,500 workers represented by IBEW Local 614, which includes gas and electric field workers as well as call center employees, are seeking higher wages and improvements to benefits in a new contract.

The workers’ most recent five-year contract expired on March 31 and negotiations, which started in January, have led to some tentative agreements, a Peco spokesperson said Friday. Wages and benefits have become sticking points in bargaining, the union has said.

“We always show up when Peco needs us, and they are not showing up for our workers,” said Larry Anastasi, the union’s local president on Saturday morning.

Over 1,000 union members participated in the vote on Saturday, according to union spokesperson Melissa McCleery, and 94% of them voted in favor of authorizing a strike.

Passing a strike authorization vote does not mean workers will necessarily walk off the job — unions can pass the vote to gain leverage in negotiations.

“We respect the role of the union and the collective bargaining process,” said Peco chief operating officer Nicole LeVine on Saturday evening after the vote results were announced. “PECO and IBEW Local 614 have been in active negotiations since January, and we are focused on keeping those discussions productive and moving forward.”

» READ MORE: Here’s everything to know about the potential Peco worker strike

The union did not plan to walk off the job Saturday night, said McCleery.

Peco says it has “comprehensive plans in place to maintain service continuity under any circumstance.”

In 2004, Peco workers voted to join the union and, according to union president Anastasi, then ratified their first contract with the company in 2007.

It’s the first time in the union’s history that a contract with Peco has expired while another one is not already agreed upon.

Since bargaining began earlier this year, 17 negotiating sessions have taken place, all in-person, noted Peco spokesperson Candice Womer. The most recent one was on May 27, and the next session is planned for June 3, with additional dates scheduled in June and July.

Negotiations turned ugly last month, as both the union and Peco filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board.

Womer said this week that Peco’s focus “continues to be on productive, ongoing negotiations.”

Workers are seeking a uniform retirement plan in a new contract, higher wages, and improvements in healthcare benefits. Currently, some workers have a pension, but roughly 600 of them who joined the union in recent years do not. Among those who do have one, there are also different plans.

“Peco continues to offer competitive wages and benefits that compare favorably with industry peers across the region,” Womer said, adding that the company also provides training programs that support performance and safety.

Linemen, who are some of the union’s highest-paid members, made an average of more than $243,500 last year in wages, including overtime, the company has said.

Joy Rodriguez, a Peco customer service representative, was ready to strike, they said on Saturday morning ahead of the vote results.

“Me and my colleagues will be here fighting for what we deserve until the company comes to the table and agrees to treat us fairly moving forward,” said Rodriguez.

Danny Bauder, president of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, called out on Saturday morning to those who had assembled in the parking lot for the news conference: “What do we want?” The crowd responded, “Contract!”

“When do we want it?” Bauder followed up. “Now,” the crowd responded.

» READ MORE: These Peco employees do dangerous work at all hours. Their union is pushing for a better retirement package.

In Southeastern Pennsylvania, Peco provides natural gas to 553,000 customers and electricity to 1.7 million.

Last year, Peco brought in $814 million in net income, a 48% increase from the previous year, parent company Exelon reported. In March, amid contract negotiations, the company requested a rate increase that would have affected gas and electricity customers, citing upgrades needed, including because of demand. It later withdrew the request amid public backlash.

The union contract negotiations have also been happening against the backdrop of AI data centers being proposed throughout the region, which are expected to drive up energy demand, and as Peco’s CEO stepped down from his role.