The history of the American Labor Movement, dating from just before the beginning of the Industrial Revolution is one of drama, and for those who have written of it, as well as for those who read about it, it is certainly packed with romance and excitement. We cannot help but admire those unknown heroes, who lost their jobs, their homes and, in some case, even their lives, in their efforts to improve the lot, for the people they represented.
The utility companies in those days, spent more time and money in consideration of their machines and properties than they ever dreamed would be spent on the welfare of their employees.
Consequently, we have today to thank only our very own leaders for the great strides made in the past, for the laboring men and women in the public utility field. A charter was applied for under the laws of the state of Rhode Island. It was signed by Bill Gavigan, Sam Hunter, Jack Young, Herb Roberge Tom McGovern, Dan Sullivan, and others. Thus, the Brotherhood of Utility Workers of New England, Inc. came into being in the summer of 1935. Tom Gill, an electrician, employed by the Narragansett Electric Company was the first National President. A man by the name of Dan McOsker was hired as Organizer. He had an enviable record as a labor leader, which dated back to the Knights of Labor. Under him, the organization grew rapidly and in four short years had attained large stature in the industry. John McMahon from Lowell was the second National President. He was followed by Fred Clark, an Attleboro substation operator; then Bill Davis from Fall River. The next National Organizer was Ed Meeker, and the next National President was Ellsworth Holbrook from Quincy, then Mr. Blanchard of Gloucester, Mass. also occupied the chair before Bernie Smith of Gardner then John J. Earley, Hugh Foley, Joseph E. Moitoza a crew leader from Newport, R.I., and finally Phillip A. Trombly a Substation Leadman from Freetown, Mass. was the last National President. All of them great men including National Organizer, the great George "Bing" Fogarty from Narragansett Rhode Island and the many more men and women too numerous to mention are deserving of a portion of the credit for giving of their time and effort to make the Brotherhood Council / UWUA, what it is today.
In 1999, after dealing with the impact of de-regulation and a major conflict and raid by the IBEW in Rhode Island, the leadership of the BUW decided to contact one of the most respected and loyal utility workers in the country, President Don Wightman of the UWUA. President Trombly, National Rep. George "Bing" Fogarty, Don Wightman and Jack Holland met and worked out an affiliation agreement between the two national unions. This formed the BUW Council of the UWUA, AFL-CIO, as we know it today.
A Summary of the BUW Council:
BUW COUNCIL / UWUA, AFL-CIO- Through the direction of the president, to the staff rep. and its officers, the council functions as a central body which co-ordinates the activities of its locals.
- It directs contract negotiations for all the locals requesting assistance. We provide arbitration representation for all the locals. We provide legislative assistance through our Vice Presidents in Massachusetts and Rhode Island - not only to the National Union but also to our locals.
- We have our staff rep. on the Rhode Island BC&BS Board of Directors, on the Executive Board of the RI State AFL/CIO and he is also the Legislative Agent for District 35.
- The Council officers attend local grievance meetings, union meetings and arbitrations, when requested. It could be for guidance, knowledge of past practices, as an expert witness to testify at an arbitration case. It could be consulting on bylaws, seniority, automatic progression; it could be just about anything at all involving work practices, benefits or pay.
- It chairs O&M, Gas, Overhead, Underground committee meetings when requested by the different locals.
- The Council coordinates Federal and State training requirements across the different companies we represent.
- The Council supports and funds the smaller locals in their ability to attend and participate in the monthly meetings.
- It sets up meetings between multiple locals and the different companies we operate in, such as National Grid, NSTAR, Keyspan, Bay State Gas, Fitchburg G&E, Mass Electric and Narragansett Electric, and Pacific G&E.
- The Council office handles all correspondence, minutes and information requests. It maintains bonding for the locals, pays the per-capita to the National UWUA for the locals, maintains all records, and provides support to all the locals large or small with the staff rep. or officers of the council, who may be on or off the clock depending on the company.
- The BUW is involved daily protecting the interests of utility workers all over New England. It could also be at ratifications, negotiations, drafting proposals, training, giving the national union assistance, demonstrations, organizing, research, benefit assistance for the 15 different contracts we maintain and enforce through grievances and arbitration.
- The Council also funds the costs of impartial arbitrators at arbitration hearings for all the locals that are members of the council.
- Then last but not least we have the monthly council mtgs. where the locals send a representative to share information and assist each other with their problems. They get insight, guidance and resolution to lots of problems. They build a rapport and a voice among themselves and make sure they are strong and united on common issues.
This is the fundamental scope of the BUW Council.
What is more difficult to list is the support of the U.W.U.A. National Union and the untiring perseverance each member of the Council contributes to the betterment of our members.
We all know what the record of accomplishment is. Hindsight is better than foresight, and now that we have a record to be proud of, we should appreciate it. After years of the very best leadership in the business and arduous negotiations with New England Elec. Co., Commonwealth Electric Co., Boston Gas, Bay State Gas, Commonwealth Gas, Fitchburg Gas & Electric and Eastern Utilities, and now NSTAR and National Grid, we have a record on which we stand. It speaks for itself.