WASHINGTON, DC (November 25, 2013) – Today, in support of workers locked out by FirstEnergy at the Penelec utility in Pennsylvania, the BlueGreen Alliance’s Executive Director David Foster released the following statement:

“FirstEnergy has imposed a lockout on hardworking members of the Utility Workers Union of America to try to force them to accept concessions in retirement benefits, retiree healthcare, and working conditions. Instead of working with the union to come to an agreement, FirstEnergy has chosen to lock people out just days before Thanksgiving.

“This is hardly the first time FirstEnergy has chosen to not work with the union and its members. The company’s leadership has shown, time and again, that they are unwilling to negotiate in good faith. I urge FirstEnergy to end this lockout and come back to the table with the workers at Penelec.”