IBEW Linemen Keeping Our Power On During These Blizzards Need More ‘Boots On The Ground’

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/Channels/Story.aspx?ID=1356771

2/2/2011
By Doug Cunningham

During the blizzard and ice storms that are creating havoc across the country it’s often the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers linemen who are on the front lines making sure your power stays on – or restoring it when Mother Nature takes it out. But in Washington, D.C., IBEW Local 1900’s John Holt says an aging infrastructure and a reliance on contractors rather than highly trained full-time employees makes it increasingly difficult to mount an effective response during weather emergencies. He says in D.C. and around the nation one thing is needed more than anything else to make sure our power grid is well-maintained.

: “If the Public Service Commission would require the companies to hire full-time employees to be able to maintain the system. Build the system, maintain the system and in turn respond in emergency situations – that is ideal. And that’s the way it was originally set up, but it’s just not working the same way. We really need more boots on the ground that are experienced and that are full-time employees.”