CMP, union agree to new contract; Shaw's Teamsters strike settled

Courtesy / Teamsters Local 340 Shaw's workers picket outside the company's truck maintenance facility in Scarborough on Monday morning.

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By Staff

Central Maine Power Co., Maine’s largest electric utility, has finalized a contract with members of one of its largest workers unions.

Members of IBEW Local No. 1837, which represents over 650 CMP employees, ratified a four-year contract Wednesday, the company’s parent, Avangrid Inc. (NYSE: AGR) said in a news release.

The contract is retroactive to May 1 and includes changes to wages, incentives and policies for employees. Both the company and the union believe the agreement will help CMP attract and retain workers, according to the release.

Tony Sapienza, IBEW Local 1837 business manager, said in the release, “After months of negotiations, we were able to come to an agreement that the negotiating committee and the Union leadership could recommend to our members. Our members are proud of the important work they do serving CMP’s many thousands of customers and this agreement demonstrates that the company recognizes the value of our commitment to them."

David Flanagan, executive board chair of CMP, said, “Our employees routinely go above and beyond to take great care of our customers, especially during storms, and we are pleased to have reached a fair agreement that recognizes and appreciates their commitment while focusing on our customers’ needs.”

CMP employees serve 646,000 customers from Kittery to Jackman, a territory of more than 11,000 square miles.

Shaw's strike settled

After roughly 80 truck drivers and mechanics for Shaw’s Supermarkets in Maine went on strike Monday, the workers have agreed to return to the bargaining table in hopes of getting a new contract.

Members of Teamsters Local Union No. 340 in South Portland on Wednesday returned to their jobs at a Shaw’s distribution center in Wells and a maintenance shop in Scarborough, and negotiations were to resume Thursday, the union said on social media.

The members work for Clifford W. Perham Inc., a trucking subsidiary of Shaw’s. The Teamsters have been without a contract there since last August, according to the union, which was seeking better pay, retirement contributions and health coverage.