For More Information Contact:
Marty Douglass, 341-1879
Eugene Water & Electric Board

June 23 , 2006

EWEB receives July 4 strike notice from union

Eugene Water & Electric Board has received notice from the labor union representing about a third of the utility’s employees that it will strike on Independence Day.

The International Brotherhood of Electric Workers notified EWEB on Friday of its intent to strike, beginning at 4:30 p.m. on July 4. The union represents electric line technicians, construction workers, power-plant and water-treatment plant operators, mechanics, and other electric and water operations employees.

EWEB officials said they are disappointed that union-represented employees have chosen to strike. EWEB has offered pay increases of up to 12.4 percent over three years, several increases in benefits, and no reductions in benefits.

“We’re disappointed that the union would strike over a fair contract that provides for very good wage increases, additional benefits for employees and no rollbacks,” said EWEB General Manager Randy Berggren. “EWEB has offered a fair proposal to the IBEW and even has offered some recent concessions in an attempt to reach a contract settlement.”

Earlier this month, EWEB offered some additional health care improvements in an attempt to settle the contract dispute, but the union rejected EWEB’s latest offer by a slight majority.

The union is seeking improvements to health care coverage, retroactive pay and Veteran’s Day as an additional holiday. In a letter to EWEB, the union said it would go on strike unless it decided to make changes in its negotiating position.

EWEB also is committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure the delivery of water and electricity to the utility’s customers, in the event of a work stoppage. The utility has developed contingency plans to continue operations with non-represented employees and contractors.

“Our top priority is keeping the lights on and the water coming out of the tap for our customers,” Berggren added.

The three-year wage increases proposed by EWEB would raise the journeyman line worker’s hourly pay to $35.71. Last month, EWEB implemented its “last and best” contract offer, which contained the first-year pay raise and other several other enhancements to the previous contract, including work rule changes. A journeyman line worker now makes about $33 per hour, or roughly $68,000 per year without overtime.

Read a copy of the IBEW's 10-day strike notice.