The IBEW has also signed agreements with dozens more utility companies across the U.S. and Canada, setting the terms for housing the men and women who operate the power grid and run generation plants onsite for shifts lasting as long as four weeks.
“There are some jobs that are essential and can be done from home, some that are essential and can’t, and then there are some jobs that are so specialized, the number of people who can do them so limited, and their job duties so crucial, that they need special protection,” said Utility Department Director Donnie Colston.