Met ed joining
When we were on strike in New jersey, we had hoped that Penelec and Met ed would join us, but the locals will do (must do really) what is best for the membership. With the exception of the zero increase for wages, new jersey has had the phones for 24 hour coverage, meal reduction, and a variety of give backs that have been introduced in the last 2 contracts. The company seems to want to nail the workers down and control on and off time to lower their cost and need to hire. FE is big, record profits last year and quarter, lots of lawyers, foreman and managers frothing to go to penelec to make some money on the strikers back.
And as far as the company being worried that employees would leave, I have heard it said that when we leave, then they would worry about it. Not a lot of fear from them on that. But when people leave, retire, go on strike and say the hell with this and go somewhere else, at some point this will make a difference, and be noticed by the puc, bpu, and public. And they are the only ones with influence over the company and therefore get respect from the company, to get them to bend and change the way they operate.
If you take a look in Ohio, how the regulators changed the rules for FE and is impacting the bottom line for the company, you will see what this company fears. If the politicians and the regulators get involved in the strike you will see the company take notice. If met ed joins the strike, you will see the company get stretched and have to spend some money when they are crying poverty!!!
So for the penelec guys, I am praying for bad weather in your districts, and for met ed, I hope you get a fair contract or join penelec and both of you get a fair contract.
Maybe someday the employees will be worth more to the company than the trucks...
Be wary of a power company with more lawyers than lineman!!!