PECO workers remain on strike; negotiations to resume Sunday

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Negotiations between PECO and IBEW Local 614 ended Saturday night without reaching a new deal.

Union officials said talks are expected to resume Sunday, while picketing continues across the five-county region.

IBEW Local 614 represents about 1,600 PECO workers, including linemen, gas technicians, mechanics and call center employees.

Union leaders say bargaining began in January, but PECO did not have urgency until this week, and they've made little progress.

The union is seeking fair wages that meet industry standards, a universal pension plan, retirement medical benefits and a unified contract for all workers.

According to the union, they have not received a wage proposal in months.

IBEW Local 614 president and business manager Larry Anastasi said the workers' demands reflect the risks of the job.

"I think it's a shame. If you choose a job where you have to risk your life in order to pay the bills and take care of the family and you decided you don't mind doing that...I don't think it's much to ask to have the same benefits as everyone else," he said.

PECO said in a statement that negotiations have produced "meaningful progress."

The company said it has "already presented a strong, market-competitive proposal that includes nearly a 20 percent wage increase over five years, along with significantly enhanced retirement and medical benefits that address the union's long-standing priorities."

The company said PECO continues to offer competitive wages relative to Mid-Atlantic industry peers and reported that the average PECO lineman salary in 2025 was $243,569 including overtime. It said wages and benefits for represented employees would grow significantly under the proposed contract.

The company also said a federal mediator has been assigned to help facilitate discussions, but "the union has not agreed to participate."

PECO says it has comprehensive plans in place to maintain operations.

The storms on Friday evening knocked out power at Talia Golden's home. Temperatures inside soared to more than 80 degrees, keeping her up all night worried about her child.

"It's pretty unsafe when it's that hot," she said.

In the wake of the strike, restoration seemed longer than usual. She was frustrated by error messages on PECO's website.

"Just kind of the confusion and waiting around in a heat wave in the middle of the night," said Golden.

PECO says Friday's storms knocked out power to about 9,000 customers. By Saturday evening, roughly 80% had been restored, including service at Golden's home.

Union workers began striking at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

IBEW Local 614 says three striking workers were injured in separate incidents - one allegedly pushed to the ground by PECO security at the Oregon Avenue facility, and two others struck in separate vehicle incidents at the Berwyn Yard in Tredyffrin Township.

But PECO says the accusations are completely false.

PECO released the following statement on the allegations:

"PECO is aware of allegations regarding interactions between company vehicles and union picketers at several picketing locations. Based on our investigations, these accusations are completely false.

There was union picketing activity at each location where union members were blocking vehicles. Based on our initial investigation, we identified that in each instance, the picketers either fell in an unprompted manner or were not contacted by any vehicle. We review and investigate every potential safety incident to determine the validity and accuracy. This report is categorically false."