DAYTON -- Vectren and union leadership of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) 175 have reached a tentative agreement for a new, three-year contract, the utility company announced Tuesday morning.
Vectren said in the announcement that UWUA 175 employee-members will vote at the end of week, likely Thursday or Friday, on the proposal. The union represents nearly 130 natural gas employees who serve the Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio service territory.
"Weâre very pleased both parties were able to find a mutually acceptable agreement and are optimistic our employees will ratify the contract given union leadership has expressed they will recommend its ratification to their membership,â said Colleen Ryan, president of Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio.
Ryan said the plan includes the proposed enhancements to after-hours emergency response. This will trim the time it takes workers to respond to an after-hours gas emergency. The union had claimed this proposal was not sending the most qualified personnel to the situation but the closest.
"The tentative agreement includes the key provisions of the original proposal, including a competitive benefits and wages package," Ryan said.
The previous contract expired Oct. 31. Assuming the contract is ratified, the 130 employee-members will return to work the next business day after the contract is approved.
UWUA Local 175 employee-members help deliver natural gas to 315,000 customers in Vectrenâs Ohio service territory, which includes all or a portion of Auglaize, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Greene, Highland, Logan, Madison, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Preble, Shelby and Warren counties.
Vectren Corporation is headquartered in Evansville, Ind.
Vectren said in the announcement that UWUA 175 employee-members will vote at the end of week, likely Thursday or Friday, on the proposal. The union represents nearly 130 natural gas employees who serve the Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio service territory.
"Weâre very pleased both parties were able to find a mutually acceptable agreement and are optimistic our employees will ratify the contract given union leadership has expressed they will recommend its ratification to their membership,â said Colleen Ryan, president of Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio.
Ryan said the plan includes the proposed enhancements to after-hours emergency response. This will trim the time it takes workers to respond to an after-hours gas emergency. The union had claimed this proposal was not sending the most qualified personnel to the situation but the closest.
"The tentative agreement includes the key provisions of the original proposal, including a competitive benefits and wages package," Ryan said.
The previous contract expired Oct. 31. Assuming the contract is ratified, the 130 employee-members will return to work the next business day after the contract is approved.
UWUA Local 175 employee-members help deliver natural gas to 315,000 customers in Vectrenâs Ohio service territory, which includes all or a portion of Auglaize, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Greene, Highland, Logan, Madison, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Preble, Shelby and Warren counties.
Vectren Corporation is headquartered in Evansville, Ind.
