PECO strike ends as union and utility announce deal

Key Points:

• PECO and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 614 reached a tentative agreement ending a historic three-day strike, which was the first in PECO’s 145-year history, pending ratification by union members.
• The five-year contract includes annual wage increases of 4% to 4.5% for linemen and gas technicians, 3% for call center employees, and restores pensions and retirement health benefits for about 600 recent hires previously excluded from these benefits.
• The strike occurred amid extreme heat and storms causing power outages for 57,000 customers, with union leaders emphasizing their critical role in restoring service faster than out-of-state contractors.
• Tensions during the strike included mutual accusations of misconduct and security concerns, but both PECO and the union expressed eagerness to move forward and maintain a collaborative relationship.
• PECO, a subsidiary of Exelon, has faced criticism from the union over wage disparities and benefit cuts despite record profits and executive compensation, with the new contract seen as a step toward addressing these issues.