Close to 1,600 PECO Energy Company linemen, gas technicians, machinists, and other employees are returning to work on Wednesday after a historic three-day strike, the first in the company’s 145-year history.
PECO serves close to 1.7 million electric customers and over 545,000 natural gas customers throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. Workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 614 walked off the job at midnight on Saturday after the two sides were unable to come to a contract agreement.
Larry Anastasi, president and business manager of IBEW Local 614, hailed the strike a “historic victory” for PECO’s employees.
“Tonight, we declare victory,” said Anastasi. “This is the beginning of a new era at PECO, one where greed does not go unchecked and the workers who make modern life possible get the respect and dignity we are owed.”
The strike started on Saturday, during the midst of a record-breaking heat wave that hung over the Philadelphia region, and continued as severe storms swept through the area later that day.
PECO sought outside help from contractors, out-of-state electricians, and other employees not affiliated with the strike to help restore power to the more than 57,000 customers who lost power after Saturday’s storms.
According to WHYY, the tentative agreement between the two sides includes 4% raises each year for linemen and gas technicians over the next four years and a 4.5% raise for the fifth year of the contract, while call center employees will receive a 3% raise for each year of the contract.
The contract also includes full retirement medical coverage and cash balance pensions for all members. Previously, nearly 600 PECO employees hired after 2021 were ineligible for a pension plan and were enrolled in a 401(k) plan.
“This tentative agreement reflects our commitment to recognizing the important contributions of our represented employees while ensuring we continue to provide the safe, reliable energy service our customers depend on every day,” PECO said in a statement.
Since the start of 2025, PECO’s profits have soared by nearly 50% after raising electric rates on customers. The utility provider came under scrutiny from lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro after proposing another round of rate hikes earlier this year.
“For years, PECO has disrespected, devalued, and denigrated the men and women who keep the lights on and gas flowing,” Anastasi said. “Management stole our pensions, eroded our medical benefits, and exploited our wages while jacking up rates, recording record profits, and skimming the fat for the C-suite. This contract begins to right those wrongs.”
