PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The PECO strike is over.
After three days on the picket line, IBEW Local 614 officials said the union has won all of its major contract priorities, including significant wage increases for all members, a cash balance pension, and full retirement medical coverage for all members.
“It is a magnificent day for the proud, proud, brave members of IBEW Local 614,” said union President Larry Anastasi. “We have our pensions back — for 600 of them that didn’t have it — going forward for everyone. We have our retiree medical back from 2018 to everyone going forward in our contract. Retiree life insurance upgrade — we don’t have to use PECO doctors anymore.”
Anastasi added in a statement, “This is the beginning of a new era at PECO, where workers who make modern life possible get the respect and dignity we are owed.”
In its own statement, PECO said the new contract reinforces the company’s commitment to recognizing “the contributions of our employees while supporting our responsibility to deliver reliable, affordable service.”
The strike was the first in PECO’s history.
Thousands of PECO customers were left without power over the holiday weekend due to severe storms. Hundreds remained without power on Tuesday morning. Anastasi said workers will be back out on Wednesday to help restore power to those still without it.
