Labor Relations will always be the top priority for the Association. A harmonious relationship between labor and contractors contributes to economic growth and development throughout the region.
Over the past several months, NECA’s Boston, Maine and New Hampshire Divisions have worked together with IBEW Locals 490 (New Hampshire), 567 (Portland, ME) and 1253 (Augusta, ME) to negotiate new collective bargaining agreements with the May 31, 2024 expiration of the existing contracts. We are pleased and proud to share that a settlement has been ratified by the parties in each local area and will go into effect from June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2027. These agreements have a number of changes which will impact your businesses.
NECA Boston, New Hampshire Division & IBEW Local 490 Settlement
The new wage/benefits sheets have been distributed to the contractors and can be found on the NECA Boston members only site here: bostonneca.org/membersonly.
National Portability Agreement Updated for the first time since 1997
We are pleased to share new language incorporated in the National NECA/IBEW Portability Agreement, along with updates to the Q&A that accompanies the Agreement related to these changes. This revised agreement aims to help NECA/IBEW continue to grow the industry and capture market share. This revised agreement was effective May 15, 2024.
The most significant change is in paragraph three (3) which permits a contractor the ability to bring two (2) bargaining unit employees per job for electric vehicle (EV) charging station work for level one and level two projects and they may bring up to four (4) bargaining unit employees per job for level three projects, provided that the contractor is bound by a collective bargaining agreement with the local union where the work is performed. A provision was added for new shops, allowing a contractor to use the portability provisions for 180 days after opening a shop in a different jurisdiction. This was previously prevented entirely with no exceptions for new shop locations.
The agreement was also modified to clarify that when a contractor brings employees into a local union’s jurisdiction, it must comply with any terms of the collective bargaining agreement that concerns terms and conditions for traveling employees in the agreement covering the jurisdiction from which the employees are brought. Absent contract language, a contractor will comply with all the terms of the collective bargaining agreement applicable to the work performed.
Any questions related to the changes to the National Portability Agreement, please reach out to the NECA Chapter at kgowin@bostonneca.org.