Can someone help debunk a claim that NJ is turning away non-union help?

[mrgorth]

The RW-osphere is now running with claims that NJ is turning away help from non-union power companies based on this article out of Huntsville, AL: http://www.waff.com/story/19981857/some-nonunion-ala-crews-turned-away-from-sandy-recovery

I can't say it would bother me over much if this is true but I just want to be able to tell one particular d-bag he's wrong. I noticed at the end of the article that it states "Huntsville Utilities said they were not turned away and are up in storm ravaged areas working". I don't know if they're union or not which might be why they're working in NJ. Anyway, any help is appreciated. God, I hate these people.

[brooklynite]

1. New Jersey - Chris Christie

Think about it.

[mrgorth]

2. If by that

you mean that it would be up to Christie to suspend any type of thing like that I agree. I just think the whole story is probably false and want to be able to say so.

[Indpndnt]

10. It IS false. Here you go with a link from the horses' mouths:

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

[Sunlei]

3. Linemen, tree services all over the place at work. Call First Energy corp. and ask.

Here's a map you can check your area of concern
lhttp://outages.firstenergycorp.com/nj.html

[tanyaoe]

4. Only R-W carrying this story

I'm looking for the same info (same reason and so far the only thing I've been able to find out is 1) an employee of the Alabama non-union company is credited as the source 2) only right-wing blogs are carrying the story and 3) when a Google search on "non-union utility" finds a hit to a main-stream media article, it's because of a comment by a right-winger linking the RW-osphere info. I remember after 9-11 a lot of medical people tried to help in NY and were turned away because they lacked NY credentials to practice medicine (a person can't just show up at a hospital and say "I'm a doctor and I'm here to help&quot . I'm wondering if that's the real explanation--you have to be properly licensed, etc. because there would be liability concerns. I'll post if I find out anything else!

[ChazII]

8. Thanks, tanyaoe

Like others I am also trying to find more information for the same reasons. Snopes should have it soon if enough folks as about it.

ETA: I sent a request to Snopes with the link to the station that ran the story.

[tanyaoe]

14. Also sent request to Snopes

Inside every de-bunked story there is usual some small kernel of truth. I'm hoping Snopes can find it!

[Jennicut]

5. I highly doubt Chris Christie is turning anyone qualified away.

I highly doubt he would care if the power company had the best union in the world or non at all. He wants help for his state and would not turn down anyone or he would be lambasted. I know in Connecticut my husband and his coworkers have had to lead around out of state power companies to help with the power outages here. My husband works for Yankee Gas in CT and has been doing some storm duty. Some of the guys were non union contractors and our Gov Malloy does not seem to care either way. The Govs in NJ, NY and CT will take anyone, believe me. I think this a total lie.

[BainsBane]

6. Christie announced they were receiving help from Alabama

among many other states. Does anyone think those AL guys are unionized?

[anitayngelmo]

7. It's just partisan spinning

JCP&L, the utility company in charge of that area, said it's completely false, they have not turned anyone away.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/11/non-union_utility_crew_from_al.html

[Indpndnt]

9. The utilities companies from Alabama deny this is true. Link:

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

[tanyaoe]

15. Awesome

[ChazII]

11. Snopes has

been notified.

[octoberlib]

12. I know for a fact North Carolina's Duke Power is up there working

Don't think they're union.

[Blue Idaho]

13. Good job debunking this crap story everyone! nt.

[mrgorth]

16. Just wanted

to say thanks guys. I e-mailed the HR people at the Huntsville Utilities, the place they say IS in NJ and working at the end of the original article. They said they weren't union, which alone debunks the story. Then I saw the other stories coming out about this. Thanks again! We're gonna win!

[53tammy]

17. snopes

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/sandyunion.asp