Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), under the corporate umbrella of Exelon, has come under fire for its decision to lay off 47 union workers while keeping contractors employed for the same roles. According to a FOX Baltimore report, the IBEW Local 410 union is outraged at the move, alleging that it violates the collective bargaining agreement, which stipulates clear rules on using contractors. The union claims BGE is replacing “experienced, qualified union members” with contractors, contrary to Article 13.01 of their agreement, which is designed to protect union work.
The union’s discontent centers not only around breaches of contract but also extends to concerns over public safety and service reliability. They argue that decreasing union workers will directly impact response times and reliability during emergencies. “Reducing these skilled workers jeopardizes faster response times, public safety, and the overall reliability of the system during emergencies. That puts people, homes, and property at greater risk,” read a statement cited by CBS Baltimore. Additionally, questions were raised regarding the timing of workforce reduction and rising energy bills for Maryland residents, with BGE suggesting measures like setting thermostats to 68 degrees or below during winter to help reduce energy usage…