A day before hundreds of workers were scheduled to walk off the job, Pittsburgh’s largest electricity provider and a labor union reached a tentative agreement to likely avert a strike.
Members of IBEW Local 29 voted 711-14 to authorize a strike for Saturday, but an agreement was reached between IBEW and Duquesne Light Company on Friday, the company said.
Duquesne Light said it reached a three-year deal with the union and is pleased with the result.
“Both sides bargained in good faith and worked long hours to come to this tentative agreement that meets the needs of the company’s employees, as well as the businesses and communities it serves,” a Duquesne Light spokesperson Ashley Macik said in press release.
Darrin Kelly, president of the Allegheny-Fayette Labor Central Council, congratulated IBEW Local 29 on coming to an agreement to avoid a strike. The local union is a member of the central labor council.
‘We thank all those involved in this negotiation for working around the clock to avoid a stroke and ensure that these essential workers get the good pay, protection, and respect that they earn every single day,” said Kelly.
The utility company said the agreement addresses issues like wages, retirement, workforce renewal and investment, and maintains health care and benefits for members.
Duquesne Light said the contract means avoiding any potential service disruptions as a result of a strike.
Terms of the agreement will be voted on by IBEW Local 29 union members early next week, said the company.
Ryan Deto is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Ryan by email at rdeto@triblive.com or via Twitter .