For More Information Contact:
Lance Robertson, 984-4716
Eugene Water & Electric Board

June 30, 2006

Public may park in EWEB lot during holiday

Motorists may park in the Eugene Water & Electric Board’s parking lot during Art and the Vineyard, fireworks or other nearby activities taking place during the Fourth of July holiday.

However, people who decide to use the lot should be aware that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers might have pickets at the parking lot entrances if the union decides to go on strike the afternoon of July 4.

EWEB also will be open for regular business on Monday, July 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The IBEW has announced that the 155 EWEB employees the union represents will go on strike at 4:30 p.m. on July 4 if agreement is not reached on a new labor contract. The union has said it will strike unless it receives increases in health care coverage, retroactive pay and an additional holiday. EWEB has offered pay raises of up to 12.5 percent over three years, several other enhancements to the contract, and no reductions or rollbacks in benefits.

EWEB has traditionally allowed the public to park in the utility lots during non-business hours.