While Woburn Waits, State Slams National Grid With Moratorium

WOBURN, MA — The dozens of locked out union workers lining the street during Monday's had a lot to say. In the end, someone heard them.

The state's Department off Public Utilities on Monday night issued a moratorium on any National Grid non-essential or compliance work. The decision came a month after a series of explosions rocked the Merrimack Valley - and just hours after an over-pressurization put a scare into a Woburn neighborhood.

Roughly 300 homes were without gas overnight, and many could be until Thursday. National Grid said "human error" caused an over-pressurization during what it called routine maintenance. The problem was quickly fixed and there were no evacuations, but the damage was done - for the hundreds without gas and the utility company that has been locked in a lengthy labor dispute.

The area around Wyman and Hart streets has been deemed safe, and National Grid said the shutdowns were precautionary. No evacuations were called for.

Technicians were going to each affected home with a locksmith to enter any unattended ones.They were hearing it from locked out gas workers on scene.

"This never would have happened if we were here," some shouted. "You've got 1,200 workers who can help you!"

Others held up signs saying "Scabs."

A National Grid spokesperson the crew involved were management-level employees "who have been with the company for decades."

Monday's incident comes a month after an over-pressurization in the Merrimack Valley damaged dozens of homes and businesses in Andover, North Andover, and Lawrence. One person died during a night of gas-related fires and explosions.

"Something could have happened here today," Jeff Barriss, who has been locked out of work for some four months, said." Something like up in [the Merrimack Valley."]

Patch will update this story

Photo by Mike Carraggi