Aqua PA Union Workers Picket on Lancaster Avenue

A group of more than 100 Aqua Pennsylvania union workers marched from Polo Field in Bryn Mawr to the headquarters on Lancaster Avenue late Saturday morning to express their anger at what they say are unfair contracts.

"Does Aqua PA, whose parent company recorded almost $124 million in profit last year, really need to increase the rates of hard working customers like you?" reads a flyer union workers were handing out to passersby. "Aqua PA seems to think so!"

Members of 32BJ SEIU, in purple union T-shirts, marched together westbound on Lancaster Avenue/Route 30 from Penn Street to Aqua America headquarters at 762 W. Lancaster Ave. shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday. The large group marched in both lanes, backing up traffic. Once at headquarters, they crossed the street and stood in both eastbound lanes, saying "Corporate greed has got to go."

Some held signs that said "Corporate Greed" and "Aqua America Unfair to Workers". 

Union workers have picketed similarly four or five times this month, said Wayne MacManiman, Jr., 32BJ Mid-Atlantic Director. Workers pay 20 percent of their healthcare, with a $1,500 deductible for single people and a $3,000 deductible for families, he said.

MacManiman said the company has said they want to continue to negotiate, but he said such discussions have been ongoing since early November and they have yet to reach a resolution.

"We're willing to do whatever it takes, including striking," MacManiman said, adding that they would rather not strike because it hurts the consumer. "We're angry." 

Aqua Pennsylvania has also , he added. The rate hike, which was requested in November, would add about $5 a month for a typical residential customer.

Bryn Mawr business community members on Friday afternoon, when an email from Aqua Pennsylvania President Steve Tagert was forwarded.

"We can assure you that we are committed to reaching a resolution on the healthcare with our employees and bringing an end to this dispute," Tagert wrote.