Duke Energy, IBEW reach tentative deal

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2009/03/30/daily111.html

Friday, April 3, 2009, 4:55pm EDT

Dayton Business Journal

Duke Energy Corp.and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1347 have forged a tentative agreement hours before their contract was due to expire, which could have triggered a strike.

Johnna Reeder, a spokeswoman for Duke Energy Ohio, said the five-year tentative contract covers more than 1,000 Duke employees. The current contract will be extended until April 24, giving union members a chance to vote on the new contract, she said. Union members will stay on the job during the extension period.

IBEW members approved the current contract in April 2006, shortly after Duke acquired Cincinnati-based Cinergy Corp.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), based in Charlotte, N.C., includes the former Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co.; Union Light, Heat and Power in Kentucky; and PSI Energy in Indiana. The company also operates Duke Power in the Carolinas. It also provides electricity to residents in parts of Butler and Warren counties.

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