Rally to support striking electricians April 30 in Seattle

As strike enters 3rd week, NECA contractors are refusing to budge from unanimously rejected offer

SEATTLE — As the strike by Limited Energy (LE) Electricians represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 46 in the Puget Sound area enters its third week, negotiators for the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) are refusing to improve an offer that was unanimously rejected by the IBEW 46 members.

So it’s time to let the area’s electrical contractors know that the labor community supports striking LE electricians!

TAKE A STAND — The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is urging all union members and supporters to attend a Solidarity Rally with striking electricians from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30 at Gasworks Park, 2101 N. Northlake Way in Seattle. There is plenty of free parking, so wear your union colors and bring your signs of solidarity with LE electricians.

Limited Energy electricians install and maintain multiple life-safety systems, such as fire and security alarms, building access and HVAC controls, computers, phones, emergency radios, and more. However, they are paid significantly less that other Puget Sound-area unionized electricians and NECA negotiators have refused to grant them something that most workers have: paid holidays.

Since January, IBEW 46 has been bargaining for better wages, paid holidays, and a fair contract for LE electricians to replace the one that expired on March 31, and was subsequently extended for 10 days. But the union says that NECA negotiators have refused to make any movement from its rejected contract offer and instead have insulted this workforce by suggesting they are easily replaced.

Effective April 11, the LE electricians went on strike against NECA. Unless they are working on a job site covered by a Project Labor Agreement/Community Workforce Agreement, or are working for Net Com — whose ownership is “standing with their valued employees and Members of LU 46″ — IBEW 46 LE electricians intend to stay on strike one day longer and one day stronger.

Make plans to show your solidarity with the striking IBEW 46 Limited Energy Electricians at the April 30 rally.