PECO strike: IBEW Local 614 workers hit picket line amid heat wave in Philadelphia region
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — After more than 12 hours of negotiations on Friday, leaders of IBEW Local 614 say they did not reach a contract agreement with PECO and went on strike at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
About 1,600 union members will be on the picket line outside PECO facilities. The workers – including linemen, gas technicians, mechanics and call center employees who serve millions of customers across five counties – will not report to work during the holiday weekend and ongoing heat wave.
Union leaders say bargaining began in January, but PECO did not have urgency until this week, and they’ve made little progress.
The union is seeking fair wages that meet industry standards, a universal pension plan, retirement medical benefits and a unified contract for all workers.
According to the union, they have not received a wage proposal in months.
State senators have publicly backed the workers, calling them critical to maintaining electricity and gas services and deserving of a fair contract. Local contractors and utility workers have also pledged solidarity, saying they will not cross the picket line.
IBEW Local 614 president and business manager Larry Anastasi said the workers’ demands reflect the risks of the job.
“I think it’s a shame. If you choose a job where you have to risk your life in order to pay the bills and take care of the family and you decided you don’t mind doing that…I don’t think it’s much to ask to have the same benefits as everyone else,” he said.
Stewart Davidson, the union’s attorney and chief negotiator, said workers are underpaid compared to peers in nearby states.
“Compared to the people who do what they do in NJ and other surrounding areas, they are way behind. Nobody should have to endure that given the nature of the work they do and the conditions under which they do it,” he said.
PECO said in a statement that negotiations have produced “meaningful progress.”
The company said it has “already presented a strong, market-competitive proposal that includes nearly a 20 percent wage increase over five years, along with significantly enhanced retirement and medical benefits that address the union’s long-standing priorities.”
The company said PECO continues to offer competitive wages relative to Mid-Atlantic industry peers and reported that the average PECO lineman salary in 2025 was $243,569 including overtime. It said wages and benefits for represented employees would grow significantly under the proposed contract.
The company also said a federal mediator has been assigned to help facilitate discussions, but “the union has not agreed to participate.”
PECO says it has comprehensive plans in place to maintain operations.
Both sides say they want to continue discussions until they reach a fair agreement.
Full statement from PECO:
“For the past few months, we’ve been in negotiations with IBEW Local 614, the local labor union that represents a range of positions at PECO, regarding the terms of their new contract. On March 31, the contract expired, and the union has elected to go on strike. We will continue to negotiate in good faith for a fair and equitable agreement.”
“We remain focused and committed to providing safe and reliable energy service for our customers and communities. As a provider of essential services, we prepare year-round for many potential situations. Just as we prepare for storms, we have contingency plans in place to ensure your electric and natural gas services are not affected by this strike.”
“We deeply value our dedicated employees and will continue to bargain in good faith with the union. We are confident we can reach an equitable agreement that is fair for our employees and customers alike.”
View PECO’s Comprehensive Proposal for IBEW Local 614 here.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
