The tentative grid contract offers an angry response from the members, says Union

More than 900 National Trade Unionized Gas and Energy Plants reacted “anger” for the company’s attempt offer for a new contract in a meeting on Saturday, according to an union official.

The company’s offer includes 3% salary increases in each of the next four years, a smallest walk than the union had requested. He also rejected the request of the Union to change the medical benefits to a plan affiliated with the Union called FMCP, and does not reach the union demands of updated retirement benefits.

“There was an angry response” to the new contract proposal presented to the members who attended the meeting in Holbrook, said Pat Guidice, commercial manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1049. The premises represents the gas and energy plant of The national network of almost 1,200 workers.

“The members felt disrespected,” Guidice said. “Some were scared” before the perspective of an imminent strike.

The union has filed charges against National Grid before the National Board of Labor Relations after the company issued employees about when the benefits would end if they were on strike. Guidice said the union has not had news from the NRLB.

The votes are being cast by mail in the coming weeks, and the existing contract extends until March 28. Members can attack after that date.

From the contract, Guidice said: “I cannot support it and I have not backed it.”

However, he said: “I asked members to vote for what is best for them. They have to live with the decision. I will follow the will of the members.”

National Grid, in a statement, said the tentative agreement “does not contain any concession by the union” but “provides fair and equitable increases in compensation … the change premiums and the variable payment, the protection of expanded occupational safety , the improvements of the retirement benefits and one more cost -that of effective medical care … ”

“We respect the ratification process and believe that it is a fair agreement for our employees and our clients,” said the company.

Guidice said the IBEW is asking for wages above the 3%offer, but would not specify an amount. “We need an increase that maintains the rhythm of inflation,” he said. The union in 2023 negotiated a separate agreement with PSEG Long Island/Lipa that included annual salary increases of 4% and “good pension improvements,” Guidice said.

The union has proposed to change the company’s external medical plan to one managed by IBEW called Family Medical Care Plan, which is signed by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The lowest costs for both employees and the national network would save the company more than $ 12.9 million in costs during the 4 -year contract period, Guidice said, but the company rejected the notion in its final offer of the contract and He is trying to change to a new plan for Aetna.

According to the National script plan, the contribution of a worker for a family plan would begin at $ 117 each week, and increase to $ 153 per week for the fourth year of the plan, according to a schedule included in the paperwork of the contract.

The company’s offer proposes a contribution corresponding to employees 401 (K) medium percent plans of up to 8% of the total annual compensation of employees (the figure is now 7%). The company would also make a $ 1,000 payment in 401 (K) of each employee if they ratify the contract before March 15.

The union in the early negotiations requested 21% of the gross salary of employees to enter a contribution plan defined as a starting point, Guidice said, but National Grid “rejected all proposals for improving pensions without negotiation.”

Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fishing.