IBEW Local 1620 says it does not condone the decision by some members to demonstrate outside Newfoundland Power.

The union says it entered negotiations for its craft membership in September of 2022, and while there have been ratification votes since then on collective agreements, both were rejected by members.

Since July of 2023, the union and Newfoundland Power have been working through the essential employee application process set out by the PUB. The union says the process is detailed, and it understands the frustration of members; it expects to have a ruling from the Board by the end of the month.

The actions taken by some members are not actions that are sanctioned by the local union, says Business Manager Steven Stewart, and they are encouraging members to allow the union to work through the legal process and wait for direction before taking matters into their own hands.