Electrical workers have earned all our thanks

The Island Now

Long Island has had to sacrifice because of Hurricane Sandy.   But few have given as much as the hard-working, dedicated electrical workers who are restoring power to Long Island ’s homes, businesses, hospitals and transit.  

Responding to crises is something that the lineman, cable splicers, substation workers, customer reps and others do on a frequent basis — not just when their neighbors face what may be the largest natural crisis in our lifetimes, but any time the power goes down.  

All employees of National Grid – whether they work in power generation, gas department or a shared organization or directly for LIPA in the transmission and distribution area – are professionals who have always pulled together and coordinated their efforts to help in a time of need. 

These employees of National Grid – who work in power generation, the gas department of a a shared organization or  who may work for LIPA in transmission and distribution,  or directly for National Grid in power generation and its gas department or within a shared organization — have always pulled together and coordinated their efforts to help in a time of need.

Right now, thousands of skilled members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1049 are working 16-hour shifts, back-to-back-to-back, in some of the harshest and dangerous conditions they have ever faced.   The families of these tireless workers also must sacrifice too — vacations have been cancelled, personal needs postponed, and moms and dads are home only a few hours a day.  

In fact, many of our workers are themselves victims of Sandy and have been flooded out, had trees come down and, ironically, are themselves in the dark.   After hours in the field, often through the night, workers are coming home to a quick meal, taking care of their home and family and getting a few hours of rest before going back in the field on little sleep.

We don’t know how this situation will ultimately conclude.   But we do know that for the electrical workers doing restoration work, there will be no let up until the job is done — until everyone’s lights come back on.   So, next time you see a crew or speak to a customer service representative, a simple “Thank You” would are most deserved.

 

Donald Daley

Business Manager

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1049

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