Beatrice Lang
Atlantic City Electric workers went on strike on November 5, 2023, after unsuccessful contract negotiations with the Exelon electric company. The workers, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 210, sought better health benefits, improvements to pensions, and more protection from subcontractor work. The strike continued as rates went up, and the company used contract employees to fill in for union workers. However, as of December 4, 2023, a tentative agreement has been reached between Atlantic City Electric and the union, ending the month-long strike. The agreement includes pay increases, more vacation and holiday time, and a work-from-home option for some employees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of strike | November 5, 2023 |
| Reason for strike | Better health benefits, improvements to pensions, protection against subcontractor work, and fair wages |
| Number of workers on strike | 400 |
| Union | IBEW Local 210 |
| Company | Atlantic City Electric |
| Agreement reached | Yes, tentative agreement reached on December 4, 2023 |
| Outcome of agreement | Pay increases, more vacation and holiday time, work from home option for some employees, Veterans Day as a fixed holiday |
| Ratification of agreement | Pending ratification vote by union members |
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What You'll Learn
The strike's impact on power supply
Atlantic City Electric has assured its customers that the strike will not significantly affect their electrical services. In a Facebook post, the company stated that they have "contingency plans and highly qualified staff in place" to ensure there is no disruption to power supply. This comes as almost 400 union employees of Atlantic City Electric went on strike after unsuccessful contract negotiations with the Exelon electric company.
The strike began on November 5, 2023, and ended a month later on December 5, 2023, when a tentative agreement was reached between the company and the union. During this period, supporters of the union workers expressed their disappointment with the company's decision to bring on additional workers to fill the strike positions. They urged the company to share the contract proposals that they deemed fair and expressed their support for the union.
Despite the strike, Atlantic City Electric maintained that they had the capacity to serve their 560,000 customers across South Jersey. The company's contingency plans and qualified staff ensured that any potential impact on power supply was mitigated.
The tentative agreement between Atlantic City Electric and the union includes pay increases, more vacation and holiday time, and a work-from-home option for some employees. The agreement also makes Veterans Day a fixed holiday for union members, increasing the total number of holidays for most employees to 13 days per year.
In conclusion, while the strike by Atlantic City Electric's union employees caused concern among supporters and the public, the company's contingency measures ensured that the power supply remained stable. The successful negotiation of a new contract between the company and the union resulted in enhanced benefits for employees, without causing any significant disruption to electrical services.
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Workers' demands for better benefits
Almost 400 employees of Atlantic City Electric went on strike in November 2023, demanding better benefits and working conditions. The strike ended on December 5, 2023, when the company and the union reached a tentative agreement.
The workers, members of the IBEW Local 210 union, had been in contract negotiations with the company for several months before the strike. They argued that the company's offer of a five-year contract with incremental increases totalling 16-20% by the end of the term was not fair, given the erosion of their benefits and working conditions over the previous years.
In addition to better retirement security and pay parity for newer members, the union demanded:
- A $1,500 ratification bonus
- Pay premium increases
- Meal stipend increases
- Clothing allowance increases
- Shift differential increases
- Additional vacation days
- Additional holiday time
- Military leave enhancements
- Training pay increases
- Work-from-home options for certain classifications
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Union's accusations of corporate greed
Union workers at Atlantic City Electric went on strike in November 2023, citing corporate greed as a key factor in their decision. The strike, initiated by members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 210, represented a dispute over contract negotiations with the company.
In their statement, the union accused Atlantic City Electric of prioritising profits over the well-being of its employees and customers. They claimed that the company's actions had affected wages, benefits, and careers. Specifically, they highlighted the removal of health benefits and the issue of subcontractor work, as well as the company's decision to raise rates while enjoying massive profits.
The union also pointed out that the company's actions had consequences not only for its employees but also for its customers. They argued that customers were facing exorbitant electric charges as a result of Atlantic City Electric's rate increases. The union's statement emphasised that employees were customers too and understood the financial burden caused by these increases.
In response to the accusations, Atlantic City Electric stated that they had negotiated in good faith and presented a fair and competitive offer to the union. The company denied claims of corporate greed, asserting that their employees were compensated fairly. They also emphasised their support for veterans and their commitment to providing stable infrastructure investments.
The strike lasted for about a month, during which Atlantic City Electric used contract employees to fill in for the union workers. The two sides eventually reached a tentative agreement, which included improvements in various areas, such as pay premiums, meal stipends, clothing allowances, and training pay. The agreement also designated Veterans Day as a fixed holiday for union members.
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Company's response to the strike
Atlantic City Electric has responded to the strike by union workers by stating that it negotiated in good faith and presented a fair offer, as the previous contract expired on November 2. The company also warned union leadership that workers could lose their health-care benefits while on strike.
In response to the union's concerns about the removal of Veterans Day as a holiday, the company stated that any employee wishing to celebrate it could use a floating holiday that is part of their package. The company also highlighted its support for veterans through its expanded military leave policy and active-duty health coverage.
During the strike, Atlantic City Electric used contract employees to fill in for union workers and reported that it maintained service during outages without any safety incidents.
On December 4, Atlantic City Electric released a statement announcing that it had reached a tentative agreement with the IBEW Local 210 union. The company expressed its satisfaction with the agreement, stating that it had bargained in good faith and reached an equitable and competitive agreement that is fair for employees and customers. The company also emphasized the importance it places on the safety and well-being of its employees, contractors, customers, and communities.
The tentative agreement included pay increases, more vacation and holiday time, and a work-from-home option for some employees. The contract will become effective once it is ratified by the union workers.
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Outcome of the strike
On December 4, 2023, Atlantic City Electric and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 210 reached a tentative agreement to end the month-long strike. The agreement includes pay increases, more vacation and holiday time, and a work-from-home option for some employees. Atlantic City Electric released a statement expressing their satisfaction with the agreement, highlighting their commitment to bargaining in good faith and reaching a fair outcome for all parties involved.
The tentative agreement came after a strike that began on November 5, 2023, when nearly 400 union workers walked off the job following unsuccessful contract negotiations with the Exelon electric company. The union workers sought better health benefits, improvements to pensions, and more protection from subcontractor work.
During the strike, Atlantic City Electric used contract employees to fill in for the union workers. Despite this, the company reported no significant impact on its service, even during a winter storm that affected over 6,500 customers.
On December 5, 2023, the union members voted to approve the proposed contract, officially ending the strike. The contract included Veterans Day as a fixed holiday, increasing the total number of holidays for most employees. Additionally, the contract provided for increases in pay premiums, meal stipends, clothing allowances, training pay, and a shift differential.
The strike's outcome highlights the power of collective bargaining and the importance of reaching equitable agreements that consider the needs of both employees and customers.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the strike has ended as of December 4, 2023, after a tentative agreement was reached between the company and the union.
The strike began on November 5, 2023, after unsuccessful contract negotiations with the Exelon electric company.
The workers, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 210, were seeking better health benefits, improvements to pensions, more protection from subcontractor work, and higher wages.
Almost 400 union workers participated in the strike, impacting Atlantic City Electric's 560,000 customers across South Jersey.
No, the company reported that it managed to restore service during outages without any safety incidents by using contract employees to fill in for the union workers.
