Hundreds of Duke Energy workers preparing to go on strike

Duke Energy Indiana's headquarters in Plainfield (Google Maps image)

Nearly 1,000 union workers at Duke Energy Indiana are preparing for what they’re calling an “imminent work stoppage” over a contract dispute with the Plainfield-based utility.

The Indiana Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1393 on Friday cited the “continued refusal to agree to a fair labor contract” by Duke.

The union said its previous labor agreement expired on May 1, and workers have continued working under the terms of the old contract since then.

Key issues among members, according to the union, are equitable wage increases and addressing ongoing concerns over rising health insurance costs over the life of a potential new agreement.

“Duke Energy has refused to budge from what it called its ‘best and final offer,’ rejecting multiple reasonable proposals from the union,” the union said in a news release. “Duke continues to prioritize shareholder dividends over the health, safety, and quality of life of its essential workforce—many of whom are stretched thin and working excessive hours to keep the lights on.”

Christopher Wilson, business manager and financial secretary for IBEW Local 1393, said Duke has previously boasted about record profit, including a 22% increase in earnings in the first quarter of 2025.

Wilson told Inside INdiana Business that the union primarily wants to create a better quality of life for its members.

“We’ve seen our workforce be completely depleted,” Wilson said. “In fact, we started negotiations with 1,065 members; we’re down to 987. If we go back to 2013, we’ve lost over 250 members. The majority proposals [by] company at these negotiations were to force those a few remaining employees to work more hours.”

Wilson added that Duke’s proposals would not provide any additional incentives related to health care contributions or retirement plans.

“[We’re] trying to make sure that our members are not only being able to provide the quality service that they’re doing, but also be able enjoy that time with their family. And right now, we’re just being stretched then, to be quite honest,” he said.

Duke Energy provided the following statement on Friday:

“The work of our International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1393 (IBEW) represented employees is highly valued to the company, our customers, and the communities we serve. Our goal during negotiations is to achieve a mutually favorable labor agreement with the IBEW that provides fair compensation, competitive benefits and a safe work environment.”

Duke provides electricity to about 900,000 customers in 69 Indiana counties.

Wilson said the members who have left in recent years have done so for more favorable contracts with other utility companies and cooperatives.

“Our average age has dropped five years. Our average years of service has dropped from 16 years of service in 2014 all the way down to 11,” he said. “So we’re having less experience out there, and we’re putting more on those individuals, and there’s no relief inside. So guys are looking for other opportunities. They’re going to the REMCs who still have traditional pension and 401(k) matches with better wages than what we’re currently experiencing.”

Wilson said about 90% of the union’s membership turned out to vote on the authorization to strike on Friday, with the vote being “almost unanimous.”

The union is working toward a work stoppage, he said, but is reaching out to Duke Energy to get back to the negotiating table to avoid a strike. The union has also contacted the U.S. Department of Labor and federal mediators.

In the event that Duke does not agree to continue contract negotiations, Wilson said a strike could happen as early as the first or second week of July.