Three striking PECO workers were injured at separate picket sites after the walkout began just after 12:01 a.m. Saturday, according to IBEW Local 614.
At Oregon Avenue, the union said a worker was pushed down by PECO security; at Berwyn Yard, it said one member was hit after a PECO truck lurched forward and another was struck by a third-party vehicle.
PECO said its investigation found the accusations "completely false" and said it has plans in place to keep service running during the strike.
Months of failed contract talks triggered the holiday-weekend walkout, with the union seeking higher wages, a universal pension, retirement medical benefits and one contract for all workers.
PECO said its offer includes nearly a 20% wage increase over five years plus enhanced retirement and medical benefits for employees serving millions of customers across five counties.
Is the first strike in PECO's 145-year history a last stand against the outsourcing of essential utility jobs?
Can PECO's first-ever strike redefine fair pay amid record profits and soaring executive compensation?
IBEW Local 614’s July 4, 2026 Strike Against PECO: Immediate Service Risks, Unresolved Demands, and Broader Utility Sector Impact
Overview
The IBEW Local 614 strike against PECO began on July 4, 2026, marking the first walkout in the utility’s history. The strike started on Independence Day, a time of high demand for electricity and gas, which immediately raised public concern about service reliability. Before the strike, the union gave PECO the required seven days’ notice, and PECO responded by assuring the public that a contingency plan was ready, including the use of outside resources to keep operations running. Despite these assurances, the unprecedented strike led to increased public scrutiny and uncertainty about essential utility services.