Facts about the lockout at National Grid

Facts

National Grid has locked out the 1,200 members of USW Local 12003 and 12012 who do the critical work of maintaining natural gas lines for homes, schools, and businesses across Massachusetts
The gas workers’ contract with National Grid expired on June 24th. The gas workers have offered to extend their contract while bargaining continues, but National Grid instead recklessly chose to lock them out of work sites across Massachusetts
The gas workers are merely asking to continue the same working conditions and benefits they have previously received while the parties continue to bargain, even as National Grid sees tremendous profits and benefits from recent tax cuts

National Grid Threatens Basic Economic Justice

The proposals by National Grid for the next contract would be economically devastating to gas workers and their families
Their changes would make thousands of workers subject to sweeping cuts to wages and healthcare benefits, foist a drastically reduced medical plan on current and retired employees, and force new hires to accept an inferior retirement plan
New hires would also lose post-65 medical benefits and reduced sick time and life insurance
The tactic of hoping older employees will sacrifice the benefits of new hires is a disgraceful attempt to drive a wedge between employees
None of these attacks on the middle class are driven by economic necessity. National Grid is a very successful, multi-billion dollar company that just received a massive tax break from the Trump Administration and is seeking tens of millions of additional dollars from Massachusetts consumers in its upcoming rate case

Public Safety Is Not A Bargaining Chip

National Grid’s actions aren’t just harmful to the middle class- they are putting workers, Massachusetts residents and public safety officials in harm’s way
Gas work is dangerous, and requires experienced professionals. Yet National Grid is proposing to outsource much of the most dangerous work – like live gas and mark out work – to poorly trained, inexperienced contractors with insufficient inspectors and monitors
Additionally, National Grid has chosen to lock out employees while contract negotiations continue, and replace them with less experienced contractors and management staff, despite the United Steelworkers’ offer to continue working without a contract
These actions are DANGEROUS- gas work needs the most experienced, trained professionals available. Anything less puts everyone’s safety at risk