IBEW System Council U3 (New Jersey) stands up for workers against Jersey Central Power and Light

01/07/05 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom
Jersey Central Power & Light workers have been on strike for nearly a month.

JCP&L, union will resume talks next week

'Christmas was slim' as striking workers remain on picket line
By David P. Willis, Gannett State Bureau

MIDDLETOWN - On strike for nearly a month, Jersey Central Power & Light lineman Michael Hornung of Oceanport knew why he was standing in the cold rain Wednesday morning outside the Central Jersey headquarters.

"I am trying to make a point to the company," he said. "We stand united."

About 1,350 union workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have been on strike since Dec. 8.

As passersby honked car horns, about 150 striking workers handed out fliers as commuters arrived at the office complex. Another demonstration was held at JCP&L headquarters in Morris Township.

"There are a lot of good people out there standing up for what's just," said Barnegat resident Cliff Aguado, a JCP&L lineman for almost 29 years.

Negotiators from the company and IBEW System Council U-3, which represents five union locals, met for more than five hours Wednesday with a state mediator but failed to reach an agreement.

More talks are scheduled Wednesday and Thursday.

Hornung, 44, a JCP&L lineman for 20 years, said the strike has been tough on him and his family.

"I have bills and everything else," he said. "There is pressure on me, my family. Christmas was slim for everybody. New Year's? We stayed home rather than going out and celebrating."

The negotiation session Wednesday focused on work rules, JCP&L spokesman Scott Surgeoner said.

The company has said it wants to change employee work rules, especially those related to making sure enough workers are available during an emergency.

"It is a critical ingredient in driving down customer outage time," JCP&L President Steve Morgan said in an interview.

Now, the company must make several telephone calls to get enough workers. The utility wants to make fewer calls to get the numbers needed.

"I want to call three people to get three people," Morgan said. "We are here for our customers because if we are not, then the customers will do what they have, which is rise up and say 'I am not going to pay more for this product. I don't like the service. I don't accept the reliability that you are providing.'"

Union spokesman Ed Modzelewski said the union has given JCP&L proposals on that issue but they have been rejected.

Since 2000, the company has cut its workforce by 18 percent in key positions, the union spokesman said.

David P. Willis can be reached at (973) 428-6650.