IBEW Local 44 (Butte, MT) votes on proposed pact, fights for health benefits for workers

NWE prepares for strike
By Leslie McCartney of The Montana Standard - 06/08/2004



Electrical workers expected to make final vote Wednesday NorthWestern Energy is readying a contingency plan to deal with a possible strike by more than 300 electrical workers in Montana.

Workers have been without a contract since their three-year agreement ended April 30, and a vote on NorthWestern's final offer to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 44 is expected Wednesday after the mail-in ballots are counted, said Don Hendrickson, business manager for the Butte-based union.

Several issues are at stake, said Hendrickson, who called the issues surrounding the union and the utility "complicated." Those include differences over medical insurance, crew makeup, short-term disability and workers' compensation and vacation issues.

And it doesn't appear those matters have been resolved by the company's last offer.

"In the last vote, it was voted down by 87 percent of the voters," Hendrickson said, adding that he believes the company has done nothing to enhance that offer before presenting it again. NorthWestern hopes it doesn't need to use its contingency plan.

"We are working toward making sure we have a plan that impacts customers as little as possible ... we'd much rather have an agreement," said Claudia Rapkoch of NorthWestern Energy.

The company expects to have replacement workers ready in case of a strike, but Hendrickson said that is a problem since the union believes those workers are ill-equipped to handle the system.

"There has been very little maintenance done ...," he said of the distribution and supply system in place.

Hendrickson said the union is sensitive to the matter, especially if a strike occurs.

"We truly care about our customers and friends and our neighbors. We don't want the lights going out and staying out," he said.

A no vote to the three-year pact doesn't necessarily mean that workers will strike immediately.

"We're going to make every effort to let them (NorthWestern) address the issues," he said.

The IBEW is NorthWestern's largest of the four unions that hold a labor contract with the utility. NorthWestern is not speculating on the Wednesday vote.

"We certainly are keeping a close eye and will be prepared for any eventuality," Rapkoch said.

Reporter Leslie McCartney may be reached via e-mail at