Ever since the COVID-19 vaccine first became available, IBEW 1245 has been aggressively advocating on behalf of our members who wish to receive the vaccine, in order to allow them to have access to it as soon as possible.
Previously, utility workers were categorized as 1C in the vaccine priority schedule, but thanks in large part to our advocacy with decision-makers in Sacramento, we are pleased to announce that utility workers that provide emergency support (including electricity, gas, water, waste, and roads/highways) are now classified as 1B under the Emergency Services Worker designation. Local 1245 members that fall into this category (which includes essentially all utility workers who are working outside the home) are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. You can read more about the designation changes in the official bulletin here. When registering for the vaccine at myturn.ca.gov, select “emergency services” (not energy) from the business/industry dropdown menu.
“In our eyes, there’s absolutely no question that the work that our members do is essential and deserving of a higher vaccine priority designation, and we are glad to see that the Governor’s office now agrees,” said Local 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean. “We’ve heard from 1245 members all across the state who have been anxiously waiting for their turn to receive the vaccine, and with the vaccine supply on the rise, we expect that all of our members who want to get the vaccine will have the opportunity to receive it in the coming weeks.”
The union understands that our membership may have mixed feelings about the vaccine. Local 1245 respects each and every union member’s right to make their own decisions about whether to take the vaccine. All currently available data indicates that widespread vaccination is in the best interest of our membership, our customers, and our communities.