Members of IBEW Local Union 614 — which represents PECO’s linemen, gas technicians, mechanics, call center workers, and back office workers — have voted to authorize a strike as contract negotiations with the utility company continue, the union said on Saturday. The vote tallied 94% sup port for a strike authorization, the union said. “Tonight, after nine weeks of no contract, our members are voting to authorize a strike,” the union said in a social media post. “The authorization vote does not guarantee a strike will happen; It’s the first step toward an unprecedented work stoppage. A work stoppage could have serious consequences — Nobody wants that and we are doing our best to avoid that, but we need PECO management to meet us with the same urgency.” “We’re fighting for wages, retirement and medical benefits that reflect the highly skilled, dangerous work our members do every day,” the post continued. “Our members perform essential work — we keep the power on for the whole region, often in storms and hazardous conditions, and we need a fair contract that reflects those risks and sacrifices.” Before the results of the vote came in, NBC10 reached out to PECO for comment on the possible outcome, which read, “We are aware of IBEW Local 614’s plans to hold a strike authorization vote on May 30. A strike authorization vote is a procedural step and does not mean a strike will occur. We respect the role of the union and the collective bargaining process, and we remain committed to engaging in good-faith negotiations to reach an agreement that is fair to our employees, while supporting the long-term needs of our customers and the communities we serve.  Philadelphia Apr 20 PECO, labor union accuse each other of negotiating in bad faith in NLRB filings NBC10 Responds May 28 Pa. man says he didn't get a bill from PECO for months. We remain focused on continuing productive negotiations and have continued to offer dozens of dates in April, May, and June, including nights and weekends, to move negotiations forward, and we remain ready and available to meet. We can confirm the next negotiation date will be on June 3, with additional dates scheduled for June and July. We have comprehensive plans in place to maintain service continuity under any circumstance and will continue to prioritize safety for our employees, customers, and the public. We encourage continued dialogue and believe that both parties can reach a mutually beneficial agreement.” PECO’s union employees have been working without a contract since March 31, 2026, when its previous contract with PECO expired. If a strike were to occur, it would be the first time that PECO workers have taken up the picket lines. ...read more read less