The contract was set to expire at midnight Saturday, and the union threatened it would strike if an agreement could not be reached.
A National Grid crew from Fredonia, N.Y. repair power lines that were brought down from the effects of Superstorm Sandy, in Port Washington, N.Y. in November. Thousands of utility workers from New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts say many are still waiting to be fully compensated for their efforts to restore power after Hurricane Sandy. MONSON - MONSON – A tentative four-year agreement was reached late Saturday between National Grid and the Brotherhood of Utility Workers that gives the utility workers raises of 2.5 percent each year and retains staffing levels.
Paul W. Morrison, president of the Brotherhood of Utility Workers Local 322 in Monson, said keeping staffing levels was very important.
“Customers that are served by National Grid in Western Massachusetts actually got a bonus . . . they will get better coverage by our first responders,” Morrison said.
Now, he said, there will be better coverage in the Monson and Athol areas, which will be beneficial to police and firefighters when there are issues at night and weekends.
“We’re happy because, believe it or not, we’ve been saying for years we needed better coverage out there,” Morrison said.
Morrison said the union will continue to pay 20 percent of its healthcare costs, but made some concessions regarding co-pays.
Debbie Drew, National Grid spokeswoman, said the utility is pleased with the agreement.
“We believe it balances the needs of our customers and our employees,” Drew said.
The contract was set to expire at midnight Saturday, and the union threatened it would strike if an agreement could not be reached. Morrison said negotiations have been underway for two months. He said it may take until May 20 to get the contract ratified.
Federal mediators were brought in to help negotiate. National Grid serves 168 communities in Massachusetts including Belchertown, Brimfield, East Longmeadow, Erving, Granby, Northampton, Palmer and Wilbraham and Monson. In total, the unions represent approximately 1,200 National Grid employees including about 350 in Western Massachusetts.