Huntsville, Joe Wheeler utilities deny claims of union discrimination during Sandy response (update)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AL.com

By Kelly Kazek

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Representatives with Huntsville Utilities and Joe Wheeler Cooperative, two area utilities mentioned in media reports claiming their crews were not allowed to help with storm aid in New Jersey because they were non-union, said this morning the story is untrue.

The general manager of the other department mentioned, Decatur Utilities, has been unavailable for comment this morning. One of its crew members was quoted in the initial reports.

Decatur Mayor Don Stanford said this morning he was unaware of the story and had no comment.

Bill Yell, spokesman for Huntsville Utilities, said nine of his employees are currently helping with recovery from Hurricane Sandy and had no union-related issues.

FULL story at link.




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

---

Huntsville Utilities crews during tornado recovery. (The Huntsville Times/Bob Gathany)

[merrily]

1. An anti union story coming out of Alabama? Why am I not surprised?

[myrna minx]

2. It's too bad when union bashing urban legends are allowed to fester here.

Thanks for posting the truth.

[Archae]

3. "Media reports" = Fox.

I'd be willing to bet money on that.

[tularetom]

4. I heard this story on KGO out of SF this morning

Ron Owens, local "both sides are equally bad" talk show weasel, was having a hissy fit over the "fact' that non union utility workers were denied the opportunity to help restore power to storm damaged communities in NJ. And I thought at the time that something about that story smelled like bullshit.

Usually I forget to follow up on things like this but this time I didn't. And of course my suspicions were confirmed.

[HuckleB]

5. Another piece of fiction debunked.

[jimjimjim]

7. The story is true...

As disgusting as this story is...it is hard to believe people would dismiss it without all the facts. Decatur Utilities was available for comment. Huntsville is actually Union Affiliated, so that is why they had no problems. But here is the link from Decatur:

http://www.decaturutilities.com/images/stories/DU/PDFS/Press_Release_%20Hurricane_Sandy.pdf

The Unions refused to allow non-union workers in. Instead of continuing to hold their workers in Virginia, Decatur Utilities had their crews return home. New Jersey should be ashamed of themselves and all those deniers should be ashamed of themselves as well. Just because you wish something to not be true will not make it so!!!

[azurnoir]

8. To be clear, at no time were our crews "turned away" from the utility in Seaside Heights

that's from your link didn't you read it? or were you hoping.....?

[FiveGoodMen]

9. From your link...

'As we waited for clarification, we became aware that Seaside Heights had received the assistance they needed from other sources. To be clear, at no time were our crews "turned away" from the utility in Seaside Heights.'

Care to update your post while you're still here?

[Kingofalldems]

10. Go watch Fox news.

[jimjimjim]

11. While they were not...

While Decatur was not turned away by the state, they were required to become part of the Union by the IBEW, which was not going to happen:

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/11/decatur_utilities_manager_veri_1.html

[Posteritatis]

12. Ah, there's the inevitable goalpost shifting. (nt)

[bluesbassman]

13. Try reading the entire article, it may help you understand.

Upon arriving at a staging area in Virginia, crews were held in place pending clarification of documents received from IBEW that implied a requirement of our employees to agree to union affiliation while working in the New York and New Jersey areas. It was and remains our understanding that agreeing to those requirements was a condition of being allowed to work in those areas. As we waited for clarification, we became aware that Seaside Heights had received the assistance they needed from other sources. To be clear, at no time were our crews 'turned away' from the utility in Seaside Heights.

"In connection with state and regional public power associations, Decatur Utilities attempted to contact other areas that needed assistance. However, based on the uncertainty of union requirements that we could not agree to and the uncertainty of whether a resolution could be reached, we ultimately made the decision to return them to Decatur after being stalled in the Virginia area most of the day on Thursday."

It has not been clarified if the union affiliation was required. You seem a little fixated on this issue. Care to elaborate on what your interest in this is other than apparent Union bashing?

[jimjimjim]

14. Yes, read the link...

Yes, read the link..they were asked to "become part of the IBEW." Forced unionization for people who are only trying to help. Ignorance!!!!

[jimjimjim]

15. Forced Unionization

"It was and remains our understanding that agreeing to those requirements was a condition of being allowed to work in those areas."

[jimjimjim]

17. Clarification is that Decatur left...

"Upon arriving at a staging area in Virginia, crews were held in place pending clarification of documents received from IBEW that implied a requirement of our employees to agree to union affiliation while working in the New York and New Jersey areas. It was and remains our understanding that agreeing to those requirements was a condition of being allowed to work in those areas."

The FACT of the matter is that Decatur Utilities returned to Alabama due to a document that required their affiliation with the IBEW.

[jimjimjim]

18. They didn't just drive all that way...

They did not just drive all that way to turn around for nothing. Something happened. That cannot be denied. Something happened. Who are we to believe? Those who say nothing happened? Then why did they return home, after driving more than 1000 miles? Why?

[jimjimjim]

19. Don't want our help???

Don't want our help, then fine, we will not help...next time there is such a tragedy as this...do not look for us to help...is that what you want? People are trying to help, and instead they run up against the "RED TAPE!!!!"

[FiveGoodMen]

21. Seriously, you're not getting enough attention so you have to repeatedly reply to yourself?

[Teamster Jeff]

26. We don't want your help

They probably would have fucked something up anyway

[azurnoir]

20. They left because they were no longer needed

sheesh

[jimjimjim]

24. Wrong!!!

"In connection with state and regional public power associations, Decatur Utilities attempted to contact other areas that needed assistance. However, based on the uncertainty of union requirements that we could not agree to and the uncertainty of whether a resolution could be reached, we ultimately made the decision to return them to Decatur after being stalled in the Virginia area most of the day on Thursday." - Janice Armor_Decatur Utilities_Press Release.

You are completely wrong. They did not return because the work was done. Are you trying to say that everyone in New York and New Jersey have power restored? That is not what the news is saying. Millions are still without power. But that is beside the point because the Press Release from Decatur Energy clearly states the reason for returning and it is because of the union requirements that they were not going to agree to.

[cyberswede]

27. Dude...take a deep breath

http://www.waaytv.com/news/local/article_a4982e5a-250e-11e2-904f-001a4bcf6878.html

Officials say local utility crews NOT "turned away" in NY/NJ

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - Officials from Huntsville Utilities, Joe Wheeler EMC and Decatur Utilities say they were not turned away by the IBEW for refusing to unionize.

A media firestorm erupted this morning after other local media outlets reported that utility crews from the Tennessee Valley were turned away after arriving in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy.

WAAY 31's Shea Allen spoke with Ray Hardin, General Manager at Decatur Utilities, this morning. Hardin says communication was difficult from the start and after their crews were stalled for more than a day, they made the decision to bring them home.

Hardin says they were never presented with an agreement asking them to join the union and that the issue is quickly being turned into something political.

[gkhouston]

22. So, rather than hang around a bit longer to find out what the actual paperwork was/meant,

they turned around and drove 1000 miles back home. Sounds like they were really committed to helping out.

[gkhouston]

23. Read this link...

http://www.waaytv.com/news/local/article_a4982e5a-250e-11e2-904f-001a4bcf6878.html

Bill Yell with Huntsville Utilities says it is typical for "agreements" to be signed between power companies in disaster affected areas and the crews that come in from out of town to assist in the recovery. Yell says typically, the local power authorities use FEMA money to reimburse assisting electrical crews for the wages they pay their employees. Yell says these types of agreements are usually time consuming and arduous. He says the downed phone lines and lack of internet connection has made these agreements much more difficult.

A representative with IBEW says they are not requiring crews to "unionize" and that they never turned any assisting power crew away. They say both union and non-union crews are assisting in the recovery effort.

[jimjimjim]

25. Decatur Power

Then why is Decatur Utilities saying they were? Why did they issue a Press Release that says they were?

[gkhouston]

28. They didn't. They said they were uncertain of the union requirements, so after

hanging around in Virginia for most of Thursday, they decided to come home. Basically, they thought they might be required to join a union, but rather than stick around to find out if that was really true, they decided to come home. Apparently, they've never helped out up there before or they'd know what is and isn't required.

[Teamster Jeff]

29. Try this....

Print the article, bring it to a library and have somebody explain it to you

[fleur-de-lisa]

35. LOL!

That's funny right there!

[FiveGoodMen]

30. You've already been corrected on that issue

Their statement clearly says they were not turned away.

Repeating a lie that's already been exposed is the GOP way.

[Kingofalldems]

33. Bye scab boy

[Omaha Steve]

31. Statement from IBEW President Ed Hill on Hurricane Sandy Clean Up

For Immediate Release

Nov. 2, 2012

Statement from IBEW President Ed Hill on Hurricane Sandy Clean Up

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thousands of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members are working around the clock to restore power and clean up the damage left in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Many have traveled hundreds of miles from more than a dozen states to help with the effort, risking their own personal safety to get affected communities back online.

It is the policy of this union and the companies we represent to welcome assistance during major natural disasters – regardless of union status.

There have been reports that a nonunion crew was turned away from work in New Jersey. At this stage, it is not clear who is alleged to have turned the crew away and the company that employs the affected workers has denied the claim. IBEW local leaders in New Jersey have reiterated what has been the long standing record of our union –in times of crisis all help is welcome and we pull together with everyone to meet the needs of the public. We have communicated this to the office of New Jersey Governor Christie as well.

It is unfortunate that at a time when skilled line workers are working around the clock to help devastated communities, sketchy reports should cast a pall over these efforts. The real story is that our members and others are working side by side to help people in New Jersey and all affected states get their power back and recover from the effects of the storm.

The IBEW will continue to give it our all, working with anyone who shares our commitment to safety and service to ensure relief for the people of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

###



The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 725,000 members who work in a wide variety of fields, including manufacturing, utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroads and government.

[fleur-de-lisa]

32. Well, this thread was most entertaining . . .

is jimjimjim still with us?

[groundloop]

34. Well, in any case I believe jimjim set a record for replying to himself

Six replies to his own post, that dude's got issues. Not to mention the inability to read a news story and deduce facts from the words printed in it.

What's really telling is that several other utilities from the same area as Decatur Utilities had crews in there working with no issues.