IBEW Local 125 members ratified a five-year agreement with Pacific Power on March 1.
The contract raises wages, increases the 401(k) match, and adds sick leave hours and floating holidays, said Marcy Grail, assistant business manager for Local 125. It also requires Pacific Power to pick up a larger share of the medical premium.
“The negotiating committee held strong and ensured that everyone, no matter classification, received the same wage increases,” Grail told the Labor Press. “By reaching tentative agreement before the anniversary date, the company agreed to make the changes retroactive.”
IBEW Local 125 represents 285 linemen, metermen, substation wiremen and other workers at the electric utility, in a service area that extends from Astoria to Bend to Walla Walla. Pacific Power and parent company PacifiCorp are owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
Under the new contract, journeyman linemen start at $56.03 an hour.
