Hearing on Dec. 4, 2018 for the bill regarding National Grid. (Karyn Regal/WBZ NewsRadio1030)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) — After nearly six months, National Grid and the two unions representing locked out National Grid workers signaled that a breakthrough was made Friday.
The breakthrough followed approval by the House of Representatives Thursday of a bill that would force the company to provide health care benefits to its workers. Friday was the first time after the bill’s approval that the two sides met.
“We saw it has a productive day and a positive step,” National Grid spokesperson Christine Milligan said.
According to Milligan, the company wants to end the lockout by Christmas.
“We are encouraged that we now have a commitment from the unions to bargain again next Thursday and Friday, and then beginning Monday Dec. 17, every day until we reached an agreement,” Milligan said.
Meanwhile, leaders of the two locked out unions issued a statement praising lawmakers and saying that National Grid appears to be ready to bargain on economics, benefits, and safety.
WBZ NewsRadio1030's Bill Marcus (@BillMarcusWBZ) reports