IBEW workers rally as they seek new contract from National Grid before possible strike

Hundreds of unionized workers rallied in solidarity Saturday at Eisenhower Park on the eve of a “critical” week of contract negotiations as they seek a new deal with National Grid before a potential strike.

Leaders of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1049 said their members are growing impatient as they fight for a new contract that they say must provide increased wages to keep pace with inflation along with better health care and pension plans.

The local’s contract expired in February, and the two sides agreed to a contract extension to March 28. Earlier this month, the union workforce rejected National Grid’s “best and final” contract offer, Newsday previously reported. The union represents nearly 1,200 workers.

Pat Guidice, business manager for the local, said in an interview Saturday the next few days will be “critical” and it’s too early to say if the union plans a work stoppage without a new contract by the end of Friday.

“But if we don’t get a contract, I’m not confident that won’t happen,” he said.

Guidice told the crowd, many of whom wore red bandannas around an arm, that he planned to return to the bargaining table Monday morning with a message "that we stood here today and sent a mandate to the negotiating committee that we want to move this ball forward."

In a prepared statement Saturday, National Grid said: “Our employees deserve a fair deal, and so do our customers who pay for it.”

The London-based company added that the union’s latest proposal “is seven times more expensive than the tentative agreement they signed last month, and that’s not fair to customers. We will continue to negotiate for a fair and affordable deal.”

Newsday previously reported National Grid offered a four-year contract with 3% annual wage increases as well as some increases to 401(k) benefits and an Aetna-based medical plan that would cost members more. The union has proposed an IBEW-administered health plan that Guidice told the crowd Saturday would save the company an estimated $4 million in the first two years and as much as $13 million over the four-year contract.

Labor leaders from across Long Island and elected town, county, state and federal officials of both parties urged the Local 1049 workers to remain strong. Both of Long Island’s county executives, Bruce Blakeman of Nassau and Edward P. Romaine of Suffolk, spoke in support of the workers.

Several officials referred to the company under the derisive moniker “National Greed.”

Ricardo Sanchez, general chairman of IBEW Local 589, which represents electricians of the Long Island Rail Road, told the crowd National Grid's success is directly tied to its blue-collar workers.

“You power the Island, you keep the lights on, you keep our homes warm,” he said.

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister covers the towns of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

---