Dominion Lockout Ending; Two Sides Issue Joint Statement

RICHMOND, VA — One week after a Dominion-imposed lockout started, word comes tonight from the company and the United Gas Workers Union Local 69 that the lockout “is ending.” And according to word from the union, currently locked-out workers can return to work starting this Saturday.

The announcement came tonight in a joint statement dated today and signed by W. Pat Branch, Manager of Labor Relations for Dominion and Craig Bradford, President of UGWU Local 69.

It reads:

“Dominion Transmission, Inc., Hope Gas, Inc. d/b/a Dominion Hope and United Gas Workers’ Union , Local 69 are issuing this joint statement to announce that the lockout by Dominion Transmission, Inc., Hope Gas, Inc d/b/a Dominion Hope of their employees represented by United Gas Workers’ Union, Local 69, which began on September 7, 2016, is ending, and has ended because the parties have entered into a written agreement providing that United Gas Workers’ Union, Local 69, has agreed that it will not engage in any strike, slowdown, or work stoppage from the date of this agreement until April 1, 2017, that it will notify all of its members of this agreement, that if any of its members engages in any strike, slowdown or work stoppage during the term of this agreement, it will notify the member that such conduct violates this agreement, it will take all possible steps to bring such activity to an immediate end, and the Employer may treat the employees who engage in that activity as having violated this agreement. In addition, Dominion Transmission, Inc. and Hope Gas, Inc. d/b/a Dominion Hope agree that, from the date of this Agreement until April 1, 2017, there will be no lockout of union-eligible employees. The parties will continue to negotiate toward a new collective bargaining agreement during the period covered by this agreement.”

And the union leadership posted this announcement from local president Bradford:

“LOCKOUT IS OVER!!!!!

It is with great pride and relief we are announcing that affective 9/17/2016 at 6:00am the lockout of all UGWU Local 69 members will end!!!!

The Union and the Company have reached an agreement that ended the lockout of our members. The agreement reached will fully back pay each member for any lost wages during the entire lockout as well as no break in our insurance. This agreement also continues until April 1, 2017. We have agreed to return to the table and continue bargaining to reach a fair and equitable contract for both sides. Tentative dates to bargain are set for October 3,4,5. “The membership should be proud of their efforts as they played a major role in this agreement being reached” Craig Bradford President. Members who were scheduled to work on Saturday should report to work. Starting immediately we are asking the membership to end all picketing. Contact your Steward, Director or Officer for further details. PROUND TO BE UNION PROUD OF OUR UNION”

Among those who had been affected by the company action were about 50 UGWU members locked out from their positions at the Leidy Storage Facility and the Finnefrock Compressor Station. They had been picketing peacefully since the lockout was imposed at 12:01 a.m. on September 7.

The company lockout had kept some 900 UGWU employees in five states from working, their places taken by Dominion management, other non-union employees, contracted companies and temporary hires. The company had imposed the lockout, it said, because union leadership had agreed to take a tentative contract settlement to its membership for a vote with a favorable recommendation, but a few days later notified the company the tentative accord would not be taken out for a vote.

Today’s agreement between the two sides provides Dominion with assurance that the needs of its natural gas customers in the Northeast will be met this winter.