Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Versant Workers Secure Strong Contract Gains, Job Security

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here's today's story.

Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1837 members who work at Versant ratified a three-year collective bargaining agreement after federal mediators were brought in. The contract includes significant improvements to wages, benefits, working conditions and job security. All workers will see wage increases of 4% in 2025, 3% in 2026, and 3% in 2027. Several positions will also see market adjustments.

"These targeted market adjustments are crucial to remaining competitive in the labor market," said Renee Gilman, assistant business manager for Local 1837. "We've seen ten first-class lineworkers leave Versant in the past year due to better pay offered by outside contractors. These adjustments help retain our existing workforce, ensuring we have qualified members on the system ready to restore power to customers when needed. It also helps to attract good, new talent to Versant."