With the clock running out on PECO’s labor contract, union leaders say they are ready to pull the plug on work if talks do not produce a new deal, setting up a high-stakes showdown over retirement benefits and wages in the Philadelphia region. As reported by 6abc, the five year agreement that covers roughly 1,500 PECO employees, including linemen, gas technicians, mechanics, call center staff and back office workers, is set to expire on March 31 after about two months of bargaining. IBEW Local 614 President Lawrence Anastasi told the station the union plans to file charges with the National Labor Relations Board accusing PECO of bargaining in bad faith, and he said members could authorize a strike if progress stalls. Anastasi has framed the contract fight as a push for retirement security for workers who do hazardous, around the clock work.
What union members are pushing for
The union’s central demand is a single, uniform pension so newer hires receive the same style of retirement benefits that long tenured employees still have, according to reporting from The Philadelphia Inquirer. Field crews told the paper their jobs take a heavy toll, with one lineman saying the work “takes a lot of wear and tear on your body,” and leaders argue that solid pensions are tied to safety, recruitment and retention. The Inquirer also notes that the agreement covers a broad range of roles across PECO and is the end point of a five year contract.
Company finances and worker safety claims
Union leaders have pointed to Exelon’s recent results as part of their bargaining case, since PECO’s parent reported roughly $814 million in adjusted operating earnings tied to PECO for 2025. Exelon published those figures in its earnings release. Separately, the union has accused PECO of prioritizing maintenance in wealthier neighborhoods and has cited recent pole fires as evidence of dangerous neglect, a contention covered by KYW Newsradio.
PECO's response and what a strike would mean
PECO officials have told reporters the company is offering competitive wages and benefits and have supplied 2025 average total pay figures for several job classes. For example, the company put the average lineman figure at about $243,569 as part of its response to union demands. As reported by 6abc, PECO said customers would not be impacted if members walked out because the company has people trained to fill essential roles. Union leaders, however, say a strike authorization vote is a very real possibility if talks remain stuck. Such a vote would not automatically shut off services, but it would raise the pressure on both sides to reach a deal.
Legal next steps
Anastasi’s stated plan to file unfair bargaining charges would kick off a National Labor Relations Board review, a process that can include investigations, hearings and potential remedies if the board finds violations of federal labor law. The National Labor Relations Board’s public docket shows active representation and case activity tied to PECO and related petitions, underscoring that legal filings are an available lever in the dispute. National Labor Relations Board materials explain the agency’s process for handling charges and elections.
