PECO Workers Win Historic Strike After 145 Years

After 145 years without a single strike, PECO Energy workers proved that solidarity still works in 2025.

Close to 1,600 linemen, gas technicians, and other PECO employees returned to work Wednesday after winning major concessions in the utility company's first-ever strike. The three-day walkout ended with workers securing 4% annual raises, full retirement medical coverage, and restored pension benefits that had been stripped from newer employees.

The timing couldn't have been more dramatic. Workers walked off the job Saturday night as a record-breaking heat wave hit Philadelphia, then severe storms knocked out power to more than 57,000 customers. While PECO scrambled to bring in outside contractors, union members held the line.

Larry Anastasi, president of IBEW Local 614, called it a "historic victory" for workers who've watched profits soar while their benefits eroded. Under the new five-year contract, linemen and gas technicians will receive 4% raises annually for four years and 4.5% in year five. Call center employees secured 3% annual raises.

The biggest win? Nearly 600 workers hired after 2021 will now receive pension plans instead of being limited to 401(k)s. "Management stole our pensions, eroded our medical benefits, and exploited our wages while jacking up rates and recording record profits," Anastasi said.

The Ripple Effect

The strike sends a powerful message beyond PECO's service area. As utility companies across America report record profits while raising customer rates, workers are pushing back and winning. The victory shows that even in industries where strikes seemed impossible, employees can secure fair treatment when they stand together.

PECO serves 1.7 million electric customers and over 545,000 gas customers across southeastern Pennsylvania. The company's profits jumped nearly 50% since January after raising electric rates, drawing scrutiny from lawmakers and Governor Josh Shapiro.

In a statement, PECO acknowledged the agreement "reflects our commitment to recognizing the important contributions of our represented employees while ensuring we continue to provide safe, reliable energy service."

For workers who've spent years feeling undervalued, those words represent more than corporate speak—they represent a new era where the people who keep modern life running finally get the respect they've earned.