RESOLUTION re National Grid — File 206366

WHEREAS: National Grid has locked out the 1,200 members of United Steelworkers Locals 12003 and 12012 who do the critical work of installing and maintaining new and replacement natural gas lines for homes, schools and businesses in Massachusetts; and WHEREAS: The gas workers’ contract with National Grid expired on June 24, 2018 and the gas workers have offered to extend their contract while bargaining continues, but National Grid instead chose to lock them out of work sites across Massachusetts; and WHEREAS: National Grid has cut off the workers’ health insurance benefits; and WHEREAS: The gas workers are merely asking to continue the same working conditions and benefits they have previously received, even as National Grid sees tremendous profits and benefits from recent tax cuts; and WHEREAS: The changes proposed by National Grid would make thousands of workers subject to sweeping cuts to wages and proposed healthcare benefits, foist a drastically-reduced medical plan on current and retired employees, and force new hires to accept an inferior retirement plan; and WHEREAS: National Grid has chosen to lock out more than 1,200 union members while contract negotiations continue and has replaced them with inexperienced National Grid supervisors and outside contractors who are poorly trained and inexperienced; and WHEREAS: There are insufficient inspectors and monitors to supervise these inexperienced supervisors and outside contractors, presenting a danger to public safety; and WHEREAS: The United Steelworkers Union Locals 12003 and 12012 are calling for a state-wide moratorium for all National Grid new and replacement gas line projects in order to ensure that this dangerous work is not done by untrained and inexperienced workers; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Somerville Board of Aldermen calls for the City of Somerville to observe a moratorium on all National Grid new and replacement gas line projects in Somerville until National Grid puts their qualified employers back to work.