Penelec, union to talk today

By TED POTTS
The Tribune-Democrat

June 24, 2009 11:09 pm

— Negotiations will resume today between International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 459 and Penelec in another attempt to resolve a strike that began May 21.
The two sides will sit down at 10 this morning in Erie, said Don Hoak, Local 459 business manager, and Scott Surgeoner, spokesman for FirstEnergy Corp., Penelec’s parent company.
Hoak told The Tribune-Democrat on Wednesday afternoon that the session was arranged by Tom Putnam, a federal mediator.
Asked his thoughts on today’s negotiations, Hoak said, “We’re just trying to get our people back to work.”
Surgeoner said today was one of several dates Penelec had given the union on which it was available to continue talks.
Today’s session will be the second since the strike began, Surgeoner said. The most recent talks were held June 10, also in Erie.
The sides have said scheduling, wages, work rules and benefits have been among the items discussed at the previous sessions.
The contract expired May 14.
Before the strike, the company and union held 12 negotiating sessions, Surgeoner has said.
Penelec is using nonunion employees with previous line experience to fill roles vacated by striking workers.