Amid a major heat wave, PECO workers went on strike for the first time after labor agreement negotiations collapsed.
The demands: PECO’s 1,600 unionized workers have been negotiating with the utility since January, asking for 1) industry-standard wages 2) pension and health benefits for newer employees and 3) retirement benefits based on gross payroll.
PECO management has offered a nearly 20% wage increase over five years, but the union says its workers earn 30% less than their peers.
Zoom out: On June 1, a PECO rate increase that upped monthly household bills by around $5 went into effect. That money does not go to workers, a union spokesperson said.