PECO works to restore power after storm as strike negotiations continue

WARRINGTON, Pa. (WPVI) -- PECO says Saturday night's severe storm caused about 60,000 customer outages, and by Sunday evening about 5,000 customers were still without electricity. As crews worked to repair damage, company management continued negotiations with union leaders to end a strike that began Saturday.

In Warrington, 76-year-old Ilene Rettig said she lost power around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, and it turned back on nearly 24 hours later. She lives in the Forest Ridge 55+ community, where many residents are in their 70s and 80s.

"Horrible. Just horrible. How would you like to have no air conditioning?"

Residents said the outage created serious concerns for people who rely on medical equipment.

Frank Cavaliere, a resident, said one neighbor needs electricity to operate a machine.

"One of our guys needs electricity to run some machine and what the hell does he do now? He's going to have to go to a hospital and it's like that throughout this whole complex."

On Sunday afternoon, PECO crews were on Bristol Road working to restore power after a large tree fell onto wires.

Michael Honigman, another resident, said he was happy to see the workers.

"They got out here. Thank God. And we have the generator running."

PECO COO Nicole LeVine said the company has "significant resources scheduled throughout the midnight shift" and crews will be "working around the clock" to repair storm damage.

PECO expects most customers to have power restored by Monday, though some may remain without service until Tuesday because of significant damage.

The company says it has contingency plans in place because of the storm and because 1,600 workers remain on strike. LeVine said additional workers have been brought in.

"We have workers coming in from down south. Many of them have worked on our system before."

IBEW Local 614 says members are seeking industry standard wages and better benefits. PECO says it offered a five-year contract with a 4 percent annual wage increase for field employees and a 3 percent annual wage increase for care center employees.

Union President Larry Anastasi said call center workers, who are mostly women, deserve the same raise as other union members. In a statement, he said:

"Local 614 has been unequivocal since day one: We will not accept a contract that undercuts the women of our union. We cannot be any clearer. Any deal that leaves the call center behind is a deal that will not be signed."

LeVine disputed the union's claim.

"To say that I'm looking to undercut the women of our union, it's absolutely ridiculous. Our care center is significantly well-paid."

PECO says the average customer service representative salary in 2025 was $117,887, which includes overtime. The company's proposal includes 16 percent cumulative wage increases over five years and a $4,000 lumpsum payment. In addition, all employees will have access to a Cash Balance Pension Plan and a Retirement Medical Savings Account.