Utility workers near deal with National Grid

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.telegram.com/article/20080331/FRONTPAGENEWS/345369921

By Bob Kievra TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
[e-mail]


NORTHBORO— Utility Workers Union of America Local 369 said this afternoon it had reached a three-year tentative agreement with National Grid, averting a possible strike among 145 workers at a call center in Northboro.

The deal, which still must be voted upon by union members next week, includes a 9 percent wage increase over the life of the contract and the establishment of a safety committee. The committee will address stressful and unsafe working conditions that the union said were a problem for its members.

There was no immediate information about starting pay or health benefits, two sticking points cited by the union last week.

Call center representatives take calls from customers reporting power outages or from those who have questions on their bills. The local last week authorized a possible strike if a new contract wasn't obtained by the contract's expiration tonight.