FirstEnergy faces labor charges over closed plants
The National Labor Relations Board has charged FirstEnergy Corp. with unfair labor practices related to the closing of two coal-fired power plants in southwestern Pennsylvania in October — the Hatfield’s Ferry in Greene County and Mitchell in Washington County.
The board brought the charges on behalf of Utility Workers Union of America Local 102, which represented workers at the Mitchell and Hatfield’s Ferry power plants.
The workers contend Akron, Ohio-based company refused to bargain over severance benefits at the closed plants unless the union local, which represents 850 workers in three states, agreed to a new contract including benefit concessions and language enabling the company to amend or end benefits at any time.
FirstEnergy spokesman Todd Meyers said the company and union had been working to negotiate a contract for more than a year and had met more than 30 times. He also said the company made a contract offer back in October 2013, before the plants closed.
“Our goal is to get a negotiated contract,” he said. “In the meantime, the union has continued to work under the terms of the expired contract.”
FirstEnergy officials had said in the past that weak demand, low electricity prices and the costs of complying with environmental regulations contributed to the decision to close the two plants, which left 380 without work.
Meyers also said that the company did try to relocate these displaced employees.
“We did spell out a number of job opportunities, more than 140 opportunities, for affected employees,” he said. Those opportunities also offered relocation benefits for employees relocating within FirstEnergy.”
The case will be heard by an administrative law judge in Pittsburgh on July 22. Meyers says the company is confident the judge will rule in FirstEnergy’s favor.
“We disagree with the allegations that we have not bargained in good faith with the Local 102, and we are confident the judicial process will support that decision,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.