As members of the IBEW Local 1620 get set for a strike vote, the PUB has issued an order setting the minimum number of essential Newfoundland Power employees required in the event of a labour dispute.

The regulator set the number of essential employees required to work at 85 craft employees, and an additional 123 craft employees (for a total of 208) during emergency operations.

Craft employees include skilled trades like lineworkers and electricians.

The Public Utilities Board set the essential employee numbers after submissions from both Newfoundland Power and the IBEW Local 1620.

Contracts expired in mid-2022 for two groups of employees with the utility – approximately 100 clerical workers, and 240 craft workers.

The contract for clerical workers was accepted, but the tentative agreement for craft workers was rejected. The IBEW Local 1620 is currently in a strike vote.