The union representing Pepco workers rejected the electric utility company’s final offer Wednesday, making the possibility of a strike imminent.
With 1,000 people voting, the union rejected the contract by about 5 to 1, according to the Washington Post. The offered contract included annual wage increases over a four-year span: 2.25 percent the first year and then 2.5 percent annually after that.
But the union, according to the Post, is objecting several provisions in the offer, including Pepco’s proposal to eliminate the union’s ability to arbitrate changes to its health and welfare plans with a more arduous process.
Among other requests, the union also thinks workers should receive additional pay during storm restorations. Pepco says it’s prepared for a strike and customers won’t notice a difference in service. Read the full story here.
While these negotiations were going on, the D.C. Public Service Commission approved Pepco’s rate increase request, which would raise the average residential bill $2.60 a month.
The Mayor’s Task Force on power lines also convened Wednesday for a public hearing on moving the District’s power lines underground. The newly revived Housing Complex blog has a post explaining in detail the costs and benefits of moving the lines underground. Read it here.
IN OTHER NEWS:
* Cuccinelli approves strict abortion clinic regulations in Virginia.
* A D.C. agency didn’t report abuse of adults to cops.
* A new system that would automatically charge your credit card to reload your SmartTrip card is in testing.
* D.C. officials aren't getting free Nats playoff tickets.
* For casino companies, Maryland referendum stakes are huge.
* Obama works Virginia base voters as Romney pushes turnout.
* A new Kaine ad criticizes George Allen’s record of voting to cut resources from Medicare, shift Social Security dollars to private accounts, and his proposals this campaign that would increase health care costs for seniors.
