The membership of Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 322 based in Munson, MA has joined with the Braintree-based UWUA Local 369 and others in authorizing a strike vote against National Grid if a contract is not reached by May 11 when their present contract expires.

Local 322 joins Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Locals 330 (Worcester) and 329 (Hopedale), along with UWUA Local 369 (Braintree) and Local 310 (Providence) in a show of solidarity as the contract expiration approaches.

Paul Morrison, President of Local 322, said that his union voted 100% to authorize the strike. He joins Matt Weldon, President of Local 330 (Worcester), Joe Arcudi, President of Local 329 (Hopedale), and Gary Sullivan, President of Local 369 (Braintree) in this vote. In Rhode Island, Local 310 headed by Phil Bowe has also approved a strike in the event that a contract agreement is not reached. Local 317 of Beverly is scheduled to vote later this month.

Sullivan’s union workers from Malden, Brockton, Hanover, Quincy and a number of other communities to the north and south of Boston are now joined by workers from Worcester, Hopedale, Munson (Springfield area) and Providence in a united front should National Grid not provide a contract.

Morrison echoed the thoughts of his fellow union leaders in noting that progress has not been made, and cited reliability and customer/worker safety as key concerns. “No one really benefits from a work stoppage,” said Morrison, adding, “We have been very clear about our concerns, have laid them out on the table, and ask National Grid to negotiate in good faith with us. It is in everyone’s best interests to have an agreement that addresses these concerns, and one that it settled sooner rather than later.”

He added, “We owe it to our members to be ready for a work stoppage if necessary. And we owe it to the National Grid customers to speak out on safety and reliability issues and to let them know that we care about these matters.”