Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The contract agreement should avoid service interruptions that were possible when workers threatened to strike.
After weeks of negotiations, National Grid and members of UWUA Local 369 have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, the union announced yesterday. The new contract will go up for a vote on May 20. "National Grid entered into negotiations demanding drastic increases in healthcare costs and failing to address critical staffing needs, which are so crucial to public safety and adequate storm response," the union said in a release. "Through these ongoing negotiations and with the assistance of a federal mediator, we believe we have reached an agreement that provides important protections for our hardworking men and women and the communities that we serve." The union authorized a vote to strike at the end of April and the contract was…
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Members of the Brotherhood of Utility Workers and Local 369 have voted to authorize a strike against National Grid.
National Grid utility workers unions voted Friday to authorize a strike due to several issues involving personnel payroll and storm response, according to an article on BostonHerald.com Comprised of six local unions, the Brotherhood of Utility Workers and Local 369 have taken the vote as union representatives are in the middle of negotiations to replace the contract that expires May 11. “The mistakes and mismanagement at this company are out of control," said Dan Hurley president of the Brotherhood of Utility Workers Council and Local 369. “The continuous failures of National Grid are a direct slap in the face to ratepayers and taxpayers throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This is clearly a company in crisis.” The utility …
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Customers with questions can call National Grid at 1-800-322-3223.
National Grid is warning its customers of a new, nationwide utility bill scam that has hit many customers. According to a release provided by National Grid, the alleged scammers demand payment through a pre-paid credit car or threaten to immediately cut off service, or occasionally say that the customer has a faulty electrical meter that needs to be replaced. While the statement provided by the company says that National Grid representives will occasionally call customers with past due balances to offer payment options, they will never demand immediate payment, and that customers are not responsible electrical meter costs. Customers with questions can call National Grid at 1-800-322-3223. More information on other ongoing consumer scams is…
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Did you capture any wild pics or video of Thursday's winds? Share them with your neighbors in our reader gallery.
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Thursday, January 31
We heard it all last night - whistling wind that terrified our pets and kept light sleepers on their toes. As residents get up and ready for the day, branches could be seen strewn throughout a number of Portsmouth streets. Only a few power outages were reported as of 10 a.m. As the dust continues to clear, we're sure you're taking some pics and videos of any debris or damage on your property. Why not share them with your neighbors for cool story bragging points? Upload them to our reader gallery by hitting the "Upload Pictures & Video" button above, and suss out which picture is the best in our comments section below.
Monday, January 7, 2013
A few simple changes could save you hundreds on your heating and energy bills annually.
Winter is here and along with it, the traditional drop in temperatures and rising cost of utilities. If saving money is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, then follow National Grid's tips to cut energy costs and increase efficiency in your home in 2013. Tune up for efficiency Turn down for savings Insulate Seal air leaks How do you save costs in the winter? Tell us in the comment section below!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
First hearing is Wednesday in Narragansett, hearing in Woonsocket set for Sept. 18.
National Grid is seeking to raise Rhode Island rates on electricity and gas, and a series of public comment sessions begins today in Narragansett followed by one in Woonsocket City Hall on Sept. 18. For National Grid Electric, the proposed rates will increase the company’s annual operating revenue by approximately $31.4 million, or 3.8 percent. The bill impact for a typical electric residential customer using 500 kWh per month would be a monthly increase of $3.97 or 5.1 percent, from $78.05 to 82.02. The bill impact on electric commercial and industrial customers will range from an increase of -0.1 percent to an increase of approximately 6.7 percent. A small part of the electricity rate hike, said Thomas F. Kogut, spokesman for the RI …
Thursday, July 5, 2012
A scam indicating that the federal government will pay for utility bills in exchange for personal information has come to New England and National Grid is urging customers to remain vigilant.
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Thursday, July 5, 2012
National Grid is asking customers to beware alert for a scam stating utility bills will be paid by the federal government or President Barack Obama after sending a social security number and bank routing information. The scam has impacted utility customers in Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina and other parts of the country along with New England, and should not be confused with legitimate low-income utility assistance programs in the Commonwealth. According to accounts from utility companies nationwide, the scammers may engage solicitation through phone calls, door-to-door contacts, and online methods. National Grid customers in New England can call 1-800-322-3223 if they believe they are victims of the scam and the company is reminding …
Monday, June 25, 2012
Almost 14,000 customers are without power and two substations are down in Rhode Island.
Monday's thunderstorms have left 14,000 customers across the state without power and has knocked out two substations, according to the Providence Journal. As of 12:27 p.m., there were no power outages reported in Portsmouth. National Grid is still trying to determine the severity of the damage to the two substations – one in Johnston and another in Barrington. The former of the two serves a large section of Providence. Earlier Monday morning, the State House was evacuated after a power surge set off a fire alarm. The hardest hit area is Barrington, with 4,700 of the town's 6,810 customers are without power. In Providence, 4,265 are powerless with another 1,943 in Johnston and 1,864 in North Providence. Fewer than 50 customers are …
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The CVS on Turnpike Avenue was evacuated Wednesday afternoon after employees smelled "gas."
CVS employees detected an unusual odor just before noon Wednesday and it wasn't due to a coworker's smelly lunch. Employees of the CVS on Turnpike Avenue called 911 after smelling an odor of gas. "We got a call. Several employees said they smelled an odor of gas coming from the back of the store," said Capt. Mike Cranson of the Portsmouth Fire Department. The store was evacuated just before noon, said Cranson. Firefighters checked the entire store and the roof area, where a heating system is located. "There were no obvious problems. We shut down the heating unit," Cranson said. "We deemed the store to be safe and allowed people to come back in." The entire evacuation lasted about 30 minutes. The fire department also notified National …
41.600911
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CVS Pharmacy
10 Turnpike Ave, Portsmouth, RI
/articles/cvs-employees-smell-gas-call-911
226548
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Friday, December 2, 2011
A National Grid leader says the company will be more active in trimming trees around electrical wires, if towns give them permission.
After a litany of speakers criticized National Grid's preparation for Tropical Storm Irene and the Halloween weekend storm Thursday night, the president of National Grid Massachusetts said her company would get more aggressive at trimming trees, if towns let them. National Grid Massachusetts President Marcy Reed said to the audience during a public hearing: "Last year new legislation passed, which allows us to present an annual tree-trimming plan to a town or city's tree warden. If the tree warden approves the plan, we can then go into the town and do our work without the need to attend weekly meetings and talk about particular areas of concern." How do you feel? Should National Grid get more aggressive at cutting back trees located near …
Sandy McGee
11:34 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
@Jenn - Thank-you for posting this picture! Where is this tree down in Portsmouth? more ›