Water Authority Workers Demand a Fair Contract

Over 100 workers at the Water Authority got honks from passing cars as they lined the curb at 90 Sargent Drive in New Haven, holding signs calling for wages, safety and benefits..

“Those people passing by are with you!” exclaimed US Senator Richard Blumenthal as he called on the company to negotiate a fair contract with United Steel Worlers Local 12160. The union represents field service, field operations, meter repair, fleet garage, water treatment, customer service, and finance workers..

After working without a union contract for nearly six months, they took their fight to the public, demanding management return to the table and bargain a fair contract with respect.

The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority supplies water to more than 432,000 people in 15 municipalities.

Water Authority management has put forward proposals that would weaken overtime protections while imposing mandatory overtime, shift more healthcare costs onto workers, continue outsourcing their work, and refuse to negotiate over the impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace.

:”These workers deserve better!” said Ed Hawthorne, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO.

Union president Wanda Howard, who has 37 years seniority working in customer service, said the last three contracts have been decided by arbitration because the company refuses to bargain, denying the workers the opportunity to vote on the proposals.

Arbitration is “costly for the union and it’s costly for the company,” Howard said. “And whenever it’s costly for the company, it’s also costly for the ratepayers.”

While refusing to bargain, the company unulaterally notified the workers their health savings accounrt contributions would become weekly instead of yearly, union vice president Pierre Lafranco told the rally.

“Our benefits, our time, and our well-being should not be treated as unimportant,” he said.

“You deserve dignity and respect for the essential work you do.” said U.S. Rep Rosa DeLauro. Pointing to the picket signs she said, “You deserve fair wages, decent work standards, affordable health care, and the ability to participate in the decisions of the company.”