Labor contract approved by Clark Public Utilities and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 125
January 26, 2010
Clark Public Utilities commissioners today approved a new working agreement with Local 125 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Union members ratified the agreement last week.
The agreement covers about 100 of the utility’s 360 employees. The union represents linemen, meter technicians, equipment operators, dispatchers, and water system field employees. The present contract was set to expire on February 28.
The new three-year agreement provides wage increases of 2 percent this year, 3 percent in 2011 and 4 percent in 2012. The contract expires on February 28, 2013. There were no changes to the agreements, other than the wage adjustments.
“We appreciate that our union employees have agreed to accept a 2-percent increase in the first year of this agreement, with larger increases in the second and third years,” said Nancy Barnes, president of the utility’s board of commissioners. “This agreement reflects the current economic conditions in Clark County and the tight utility budgets we face this year.
“This contract will keep the wages paid to these employees competitive with wages paid by other regional utilities,” Barnes added. “We’re pleased to continue the excellent working relationship we’ve had with Local 125 in recent years.”
“The vast majority of union members are linemen and other field employees who have done a great job providing excellent service to our customers,” Barnes said.
About Clark Public Utilities
Clark Public Utilities is a customer-owned public utility district that provides electric service to more than 182,000 customers throughout Clark County. The utility also provides water service to about 30,000 homes and businesses in the Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Lakeshore, Hockinson, Brush Prairie, La Center, Meadow Glade, Amboy and Yacolt areas.
Clark Public Utilities was ranked highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities in the west by J.D. Power and Associates in 2008 and 2009.
For more information:
Mick Shutt, 360-992-3238