BOSTON — The state Department of Public Utilities has upheld an $8 million fine against National Grid for poor customer service in 2006.

Utility Workers' Union Local 369 opposes Unitil fines.

Utility union rips proposal to fine Unitil; Says it may cripple firm

Boston Globe, 6/8/09

Saying proposed fines could cripple the company, the head of the utility workers union blasted state Attorney

General Martha Coakley yesterday for seeking $4.6 million from Unitil Corp. for its delays in restoring power after

last December's ice storm.

"I'm shocked by the fines," said Gary Sullivan, president of the Utility Workers Union of America, Local 369,

ROCHESTER — The owner of the SEMASS waste-to-energy facility has again been cited for safety violations by federal authorities, but the company said it has corrected the problems.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it found seven serious violations, including heat burn and electric shock hazards, during an April 22 inspection at the facility on the Rochester-Wareham line.

Labor unions in Massachusetts added nearly 80,000 members last year and significantly increased the share of workers they represent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Union membership grew to 458,000, or about 15.7 percent of workers in 2008, up from 379,000, or about 13.2 percent, in 2007. Nationally, union membership rose to 12.4 percent of workers from 12. 1 percent in 2007.

National Grid and a union representing more than 380 utility workers in Rhode Island announced a tentative contract agreement last night that will add staff, improve preventative maintenance and provide workers raises totaling about 12 percent over four years.

National Grid and negotiators for nearly 1,200 unionized utility workers reached a four-year contract agreement on Friday, union reps said, avoiding a possible strike that could have occurred after the workers’ contracts expired at midnight.

National Grid and the Utility Workers Union of America have reached a tentative contract agreement covering about 1,300 workers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Picketing Do’s

• Maintain order.
• Keep moving.
• Keep assigned schedule.
• Report problems to captain with names, license #s.
• Obey police.
• Chant, sing and speak with one voice.
• Be courteous to all but those who scab your work.
• Thank those who support you.