UWUA: Standing Strong in Challenging Times

As members of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), we have weathered numerous storms throughout our history. From deregulation and energy transitions to the explosive growth in energy demand from data centers, we have consistently fought to protect our jobs and industries. Today, we find ourselves in a new era, where the White House is prioritizing the interests of billionaires and CEOs over working people. This shift demands our engagement and action to defend our hard-won gains and ensure a secure future for our members.

Since January, we have witnessed contractually obligated government commitments to our industries being put at risk, including investments in grid hardening. Federal investments in new and emerging industries that hold tremendous promise for our members have been rescinded, and initiatives advancing worker health and safety have been halted. These developments create widespread business uncertainty in our sector and threaten to place the burden of investment directly on ratepayers.

In addition to these challenges, several members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) were fired, further undermining the organization's ability to support union members. The firing of NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo was anticipated, but the unprecedented dismissal of Board Member Gwynne Wilcox has left the board unable to perform its duties due to the absence of a quorum. These attacks on working families will have a ripple effect for months and years to come, and we take them very seriously.

In response to these threats, we will do what we have always done: fight back. UWUA locals in the gas industry across several states are currently fighting efforts to scale back and eliminate natural gas infrastructure. In this edition of The Utility Worker magazine, we examine some of the ways UWUA locals are tackling this effort to eliminate these good, union jobs.

This important piece spotlights the various forms these attacks on natural gas infrastructure are taking, how various parties are influencing the changing energy landscape, and what kinds of new opportunities are emerging. It also highlights how UWUA members can engage and benefit from these changes. We encourage you to take the time to read and share this piece.

Regardless of how the world changes around our members and our industries, we stand ready to fight for you and your families. We are committed to protecting the gains we have made over generations and ensuring that our members' jobs and safety remain our top priorities. Together, we can overcome these challenges and build a brighter future for all utility workers.

2025 Scholarships

Applications for the 2025 UWUA scholarship are due by April 24, 2025. For more information or to apply, go to: uwua.net/programs/uwua-scholarship-program/.