Resolution of the Select Board Regarding the Matter of National Grid and United Steelworkers

At their meeting of September 17, 2018, the Select Board (formerly entitled the Board of Selectmen until October 12, 2018) approved the following resolution:

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

REGARDING THE MATTER OF NATIONAL GRID AND UNITED STEELWORKERS

WHEREAS, natural gas service is critical to the safety, quality of life, and economic development of a city or town; and

WHEREAS, National Grid is the utility providing natural gas service to the Town of North Reading; and

WHEREAS, employees of National Grid include members of the United Steelworkers District 4 Local 12003 and 12012 union; and

WHEREAS, National Grid and the Steelworkers union have been unable to reach an agreement for a collective bargaining agreement to succeed the agreement that expired on June 24, 2018; and

WHEREAS, National Grid informs the Town of North Reading that it has implemented a work continuation plan to ensure uninterrupted and safe gas service for its customers with a workforce of skilled contractors and management employees; and  

WHEREAS, members and representatives of the Steelworkers union inform the Town of North Reading that they have been locked out of work; and

WHEREAS, National Grid informs the Town that it is presently focusing resources on emergency repairs and the repair of gas leaks, with limited efforts toward installing new customer services and/or replacing existing customer services; and

WHEREAS, new customer services and/or replacing existing customer services contribute to quality of life, commerce, and/or economic development; and

WHEREAS, the Steelworkers union represents approximately 1,100 employees in our region; and finally

WHEREAS, the ongoing work continuation plan or lockout is adversely impacting the lives of Steelworkers union employees;

THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN THEREFORE DETERMINES THAT IT BE

RESOLVED, that National Grid is requested to return to normal personnel operations while discussions between National Grid and the Steelworkers union continue; and further let it be

RESOLVED, that National Grid and the Steelworkers union are respectfully requested to dedicate as much time as is necessary, as soon as possible, to discussions and/or negotiations to return to normal personnel operations; and further let it be

RESOLVED, the United States government including the Executive branch and Congress are respectfully requested to take any and all possible actions to facilitate discussions and/or negotiations between National Grid and the Steelworkers union with a goal of returning to normal personnel operations; and further let it be

RESOLVED, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including its constitutional officers and General Court are respectfully requested to take any and all possible actions to facilitate discussions and/or negotiations between National Grid and the Steelworkers union with a goal of returning to normal personnel operations; and further let it be

RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States of America, the North Reading Congressional delegation, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Constitutional Officers, and the North Reading State House delegation; and further let it be

RESOLVED, that National Grid is ordered to provide to North Reading Public Safety and Public Works officials its emergency action plan currently in place to address emergencies that may occur in the Town; and further let it be

RESOLVED, that National Grid is ordered to produce to North Reading Public Safety and Public Works officials updated maps and plans of all natural gas infrastructure currently in place in North Reading in order to assist North Reading Public Safety and Public Works officials in preparing for any potential natural gas emergency; and finally let it be

RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be posted on the Town of North Reading website to advise residents of the position and action of the Board of Selectmen on this matter, and to encourage residents to contact National Grid and/or the Steelworkers union to express their personal opinion on this matter.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Michael A. Prisco, Chair                                                                Kathryn M. Manupelli, Vice Chair

Stephen J. O’Leary, Clerk                                                             Robert J. Mauceri

Andrew J. Schultz