What to Know
- About 1,200 National Grid employees are locked out of their jobs, costing them benefits like health insurance
- Union members of the United Steel Workers Local 12012 and 12003 were locked out when their previous contract expired at midnight on June 24
- A second bargaining session has been scheduled between the company and the unions for Tuesday, July 17
Hundreds of locked-out National Grid workers marched from Boston City Hall Plaza to the Massachusetts State House Wednesday, as the company says it continues to try and negotiate with the workers on a new deal.
Workers from United Steelworkers Locals 12003 and 12012-04 have been locked out since June 25, when their contract with National Grid expired.
National Grid says it met with the unions on Tuesday "in an effort to work with union leadership to make progress towards reaching an agreement."
"It's horrendous," one woman, who declined to give her name, said Wednesday, adding her son has been locked out, and not receiving a paycheck, for several weeks.
Workers also picketed Saturday in multiple locations, including in Lowell, where many chanted in protest. Workers have lost wages and benefits like health insurance.
"National Grid remains committed to bargaining in good faith to reach a fair and equitable solution — as soon as possible — that balances the needs of our employees and customers," the company added.
U.S. & World
At Wednesday's rally, singer Joey McIntyre of the New Kids On The Block addressed the union workers and their families, telling the crowd he stands with them. McIntyre's father, Tom, was a Boston bricklayers union official for years.
The company says it plans to meet with the unions again on July 20 and 26 in an effort to reach a new agreement.
