IBEW Lineman Deborah Kelly
Deborah Kelly, an IBEW lineman based at Local 1547 in Anchorage, Alaska, was injured in a helicopter crash while working as a traveler in Local 1245‘s jurisdiction in the Sacramento area on February 4.
Her injuries were not life-threatening, but preliminary reports indicate she may have a broken leg.
Sister Kelly was working from the skid of the helicopter in a job for Wilson Construction at the time of the accident. The line construction job is a joint project by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District and the Western Area Power Administration.
The helicopter pilot was hospitalized, but his injuries are also apparently not life-threatening. His name was not immediately available.
Kelly gained national prominence in 2009 when she testified on behalf of IBEW at Congressional hearings on the Employee Free Choice Act. You can watch excerpts from her testimony on You Tube at:
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL1oDilf7Qo
Her testimony was also reported on the IBEW International union’s website at:
//www.ibew.org/articles/09daily/0903/090317_EFCAtestimony.htm
In her remarks to Congress, Sister Kelly said:
“Thanks to my union I have a solid career with a future. I know I can work hard, earn a decent paycheck and I don’t have to worry about an unexpected illness leaving me destitute. I know I will always receive equal pay and equitable treatment from my employers.”
We wish Sister Kelly and the pilot a speedy recovery.
The accident is under investigation.