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After South's Storms, IBEW to the Rescue

May 11, 2011

Photo: Phil Free

Alabama was ground zero for April’s disastrous twisters, where more than 230 people died. Nearly a half a million residents were left without power, making the state’s 3,000 IBEW utility members a key component in its recovery.

Casey Shelton, business manager of the U-19 coordinating council, which represents nine utility locals at Alabama Power, said:

We had pretty much every single person we’ve got at Alabama Power out there working 24/7.

They were joined in the recovery effort by 10,000 utility and outside line construction workers from 19 states.

The sheer magnitude of the damage made the job daunting.

Said Shelton:

We’re talking 200 transmission towers down. There were poles and lines that were literally blown away.

There were some towns where he says “there was nothing left to restore power to.”

Said Shelton:

Cities started to look identical, the damage was so bad.

Alabama Power estimates that more than 5,200 poles and more than 400 transmission system structures were damaged or destroyed, while more than 300 substations lost power.

The massive scope of the disaster meant that in many areas linemen had to literally rebuild the system from scratch. Said Shelton:

This wasn’t a repair job, it was reconstruction.

But despite the numerous obstacles, it only took five days to restore electric service to all of the utility’s customers who could still receive power.

Shelton credits the fast recovery to the IBEW’s professionalism and training and to the union’s collaborative partnership with the utility:

 

It is a classic example of how employees and management can work together to confront a major crisis, Alabama Power made sure we had everything we needed – from places to stay to the right equipment – to get the job done.

The utility has been in partnership with the IBEW since 1940, and management has consistently worked with employees to make high quality training and on-the-job safety a priority.

Alabama Power Chief Executive Charles McCary said:

We are extremely fortunate to have a positive, collaborative and productive relationship with union leadership.

Despite the risky nature of storm work, Shelton reports that – outside of a few cuts and scrapes – there have been no major injuries. 

Mobilizing to Help Victims

While IBEW linemen were busy restoring power, members of Birmingham Local 136 have been volunteering to help tens of thousands of Alabamans who have been left homeless by the twisters.

The local, which includes members from the construction, broadcasting, manufacturing and other branches, set up a massive barbeque – along with dozens of volunteer cooks – at their hall to provide food for needy families around the state.

Said Local 136 Business Agent Jeff Morris:

We’ve got volunteers who come here by 9 a.m., load up their cars and trucks with food and other items, and go to the communities that could use a helping hand.

The local has become the hub for the labor movement’s recovery efforts, he says:

 

We’re collecting diapers, clothes, water, anything – and trying to get it to the people who need them. And we’ll keep doing it as long as the donations keep coming in.

Union Plus is offering financial assistance for union members impacted by the storms. Click here to find out more about Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants.