National Grid, Union Reach Agreement

After weeks of negotiations, National Grid and members of UWUA Local 369 have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, the union announced yesterday.

The union will vote on the contract on May 20.

"National Grid entered into negotiations demanding drastic increases in healthcare costs and failing to address critical staffing needs, which are so crucial to public safety and adequate storm response," the union said in a release. "Through these ongoing negotiations and with the assistance of a federal mediator, we believe we have reached an agreement that provides important protections for our hardworking men and women and the communities that we serve."

The union authorized a vote to strike at the end of April and the contract was set to expire on May 11.