HELP w debunking rumor that help of Alabama and other utility workers REFUSED

[elleng]

in NJ. Trying to set fb 'friend' straight. She (high school classmate, trying to set her and her family straight) said this:

'there are videos on utube and articles in newspapers. if debunked - by whom?'


The basis for her post was: I got an email from a distant cousin who lives
In Alabama, that he saw a report on Fox News that
Utility workers that travelled from that state to the
disaster area WERE TURNED AWAY BECAUSE THEY
ARE NON-UNION! In a time like this they actually turn help away?
SHAME ON THE UNIONS WHO DICTATED THAT RESPONSE!

Thanks

[Sekhmets Daughter]

1. refused what?

[Cal Carpenter]

2. Totally debunked, all over google...

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/11/huntsville_utilities_denies_cl.html

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said the Alabama crew got "bad information" and non-union crews are welcomed in the recovery effort.

Electric utilities in Alabama reported sending more than 600 employees to help restore power in states hit by Sandy.

Decatur Utilities later issued a statement on Friday that said: "To be clear, at no time were our crews 'turned away' from the utility in Seaside Heights."

http://blog.al.com/wire/2012/11/decatur_utility_crew_returns_h.html

[elleng]

6. THANKS!

One step at a time!!!

[Sekhmets Daughter]

3. They went to Long Island instead.

And Long Island needed the help, so all's well that ends well.

[elleng]

10. And we lived on Long Island (and went to our reunion there few weeks ago. Good timing!)

[Sekhmets Daughter]

11. Yep...

While on the surface it seems cold to turn non-union workers away, I applaud the union's taking a stand....

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Debunked and discussed here....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021699137

[Frustratedlady]

5. I had the same lie and immediately found this article...

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/11/huntsville_utilities_denies_cl.html#incart_river_default

It was my understanding the lie was started by Beck.

The one thing people have to understand is that when these storms roll through, it is not unheard of for crews to jump in a truck and head out to help. However, not all crews are legit. I'm not talking union/non-union, I'm talking about legit. Anyone can fake an ID, so why not a union card or certification?

We have had storms where many homes were damaged and roofing crews were crawling all over town. Some were legit, some were scammers and ran with the money, some didn't have a clue hot to roof anything more complicated than a garage.

That is why these people need to go through a central clearing house. The Pugs hate unions and will diss them whenever they can. Anyway, this article might help you.

[GitRDun]

7. I think this is what you are looking for.

http://www.waff.com/story/19981857/some-nonunion-ala-crews-turned-away-from-sandy-recovery

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

8. It was a wingnut report based on one inaccurate comment from one worker

If you google, you will find many of the original reports taken down.

Here is why:

The first report named 3 Alabama utility companies. Two of them immediately refuted the inaccurate story. Decatur electric remained silent for a while. It was their employee, Derrick Moore, who made the inaccurate report to the media.

An accurate report is still up from CBS/AP:

Ala. utilities: Our crews not turned away from N.J.

[Glassunion]

9. There are several stories floating around...

They were not turned away. They were mis-informed...

One crew from AL was staged in Virginia, and was informed they were going to be dispatched to Seaside Hights, while their parent company received contracts that were for union affiliation while they worked in the NY Metro area.

The AL utility company wrongly assumed that a union affiliation was required before they could help. While they were waiting fot the paperwork to process the crew received word that the workers in Seaside received enough help and the one AL crew returned home.

That bullshit story floating around is... well... bullshit.

http://www.waff.com/story/19981857/some-nonunion-ala-crews-turned-away-from-sandy-recovery

[HopeHoops]

12. Sounds like FOX bunk. No utility worker will ever be turned away in a disaster area.

The simplest response is "Oh bullshit."

[elleng]

13. It was fox,Hope.

She said a cousin said 'I got an email from a distant cousin who lives
In Alabama, that he saw a report on Fox News.'

As much as I'd like to call 'bullshit,' I've tried not to confront this highschool friend, and tried to provide facts without throwing them in her face. At least, our friendship remains. MAYBE she can report facts to her family.

[HopeHoops]

14. Don't count on it. FOX viewers are brown shirts.

[elleng]

15. I know, but I do what I can do (within reason.)