Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Another Hurricane Season Starts Without Enough Utility Workers

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

All utilities—electric, gas and water services—have slashed their workforces in recent decades. Coupled with a disproportionately older utility workforce reaching retirement, there are fewer highly skilled line workers and transmission and distribution technicians doing those much-needed jobs. This has put communities at risk, particularly as we head into another dangerous hurricane season.

“With all these utilities cutting back on their workforce, and a lot of maintenance not getting done, it’s a recipe for the disasters we are seeing now,” said Utility Workers (UWUA) Local 1-2 Executive Board member Chris Katzmann, who was among scores of UWUA members who responded after Hurricane Ida struck Louisiana last year. Sign the UWUA’s petition to ensure we invest in the next generation of utility workers.