Monday, January 23, 2006

The Press of Atlantic City, January 12, 2006, Thursday

B.L. England union makes contract dispute public
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/story/5824638p-5840768c.html

By MICHAEL MILLER Staff Writer, (609) 463-6712
Published: Thursday, January 12, 2006
Updated: Thursday, January 12, 2006

UPPER TOWNSHIP-A union representing workers at the B.L. England Generating Station is taking its contract dispute with Atlantic City Electric to the public.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 210 sent letters to towns across southern New Jersey warning of power interruptions for residents and possible safety hazards for emergency workers in the event of a lockout or strike.

The contract with about 540 Atlantic City Electric employees expired Dec. 10 but was extended to give negotiators more time.

The unsigned letter, dated Jan. 5, warned that replacement employees would be less experienced than union members in maintaining electricity service and responding to downed wires or other hazards.

"You can count on longer outages from storms, automobile accidents, faulty equipment and other problems that occur in the system," the letter stated.

The letter included the e-mail addresses for company executives and criticized Atlantic City Electric's parent company, Pepco Holdings Inc.

"While PHI executive's (sic) salaries and bonuses have continued to skyrocket, our numbers are slashed," the letter said. "It seems the company has forgotten the IBEW workers who are keeping your lights on in the worst of conditions."

Company spokeswoman Betty Kennedy declined to comment on the union's position about replacement workers.

"It's our union's right to negotiate and share information however they see fit," she said. "We have the utmost respect for our employees and the negotiations process."

We just ask that everyone remain focused on doing their job safely during contract negotiations," she said.

Local residents who have seen their utility bills rise this winter might be unsympathetic to the union's public appeal. But a labor-relations expert at Cornell University said this tactic is often successful.

"It's very common for unions to bring the public on board," said Kate Bronfenbrenner, director of labor education research at the university.

Public confidence in utility companies is ebbing in the wake of energy scandals such as Enron's, she said, adding that the union's concerns about safety and competence declining during a strike are valid.

"Union apprenticeship training is highly focused on safety. When they hire replacement workers, particularly a utility with highly skilled workers, they're hiring people who are not as well-trained," she said.

"There tend to be more accidents and more injuries. You don't have people as knowledgeable about the equipment."

Union spokesman Charlie Hill, of Absecon, said the letters were designed to raise public awareness about the important jobs the union members do.

"People would be upset about the rates they're paying. I can understand that," Hill said. "But those costs are not necessarily a result of us."

Complicating negotiations somewhat is the uncertain future of the plant in Upper Township, Cape May County, he said.

The company said it plans to close the plant in 2007 when stricter mercury emissions standards go into effect in New Jersey.

"That adds a different dimension than typical negotiations. Obviously, we have concerns about what would happen to employees," Hill said.

The union and company are still at the bargaining table.

Woodbine Mayor William Pikolycky said the letter's transparent attempt to use towns as a bargaining chip was unusual. But he said it made good points about maintaining service.

"I'm glad I was made aware of it," he said. "In the summertime, it's nice to have electric. But in the wintertime, you freeze to death without it."

To e-mail Michael Miller at The Press:MMiller@pressofac.com