PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Some PECO employees could strike if a new deal between their union and the electric company isn’t reached.
IBEW Local 614’s contract with PECO is set to expire on Tuesday. Negotiations between both parties have been ongoing for two months, according to PECO and the union.
“It’s important for us to make sure we are compensating our employees in a way that meets industry benchmarks but also keeping in mind the challenges our customers currently have with affordability,” said Nicole LeVine, PECO’s Chief Operating Officer.
IBEW Local 614 represents about 1,500 PECO employees who work as linemen, gas technicians, mechanics, call center workers and back office workers.
“They’re the ones that are out there making sure we get the customers’ lights on as soon as possible. They are a highly-skilled, great group of employees,” said LeVine.
She said PECO is offering its employees a competitive wage and benefits package.
A company representative sent Action News the following average salaries with overtime for certain positions in 2025:
- Customer Service Representative $117,887
- Transmission & Substation Mechanic $159,548
However, Lawrence Anastasi, the president and business manager of IBEW Local 614, said those numbers don’t tell the whole story. He said the union wants retirement benefits for its members.
“We want the same pension and benefits they are giving to the foremen and the executives. We don’t even want to be above industry standard. We want to be industry standard,” Anastasi told Action News.
He went on to say that PECO has not been bargaining in good faith.
On Tuesday, he said the union plans to announce its filing charges against the company with the National Labor Relations Board for not bargaining in good faith.
The union president says his members want benefits that reflect the service they provide the public.
“They work around the clock. They work on high voltage, 80 feet in the air, underground manholes with rats, roaches and needles. They jackhammer. They work on live gas mains. They go into homes and get people out before they blow up,” Anastasi said.
If negotiations break down and a strike is authorized, it would be the first strike in the 20 years the union has worked with PECO.
“We’re looking forward to finding an equitable agreement for everybody. Hopefully, we’ll be able to move forward with a new contract,” LeVine said.
“I am not stopping until the people who risk their lives to do this job get what they’re entitled to,” said Anastasi.
Negotiations are set to continue Tuesday morning.
PECO said if the union members decide to strike, customers wouldn’t be impacted. LeVine said the agency has people trained to fill those roles and respond to any issues that may arise.
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