Day of Action at the Capitol Showcases IBEW 1245 Utility Workers 

The bedrock of California’s growing economy is a highly sophisticated energy system that is built, operated and maintained by skilled and trained IBEW utility workers – ordinary women and men who do extraordinary work. Without IBEW 1245 members working around the clock to provide safe and reliable power and gas, California would, quite literally, be left in the cold and dark. 

“Our members play a pivotal role in our state’s story of economic success – but more often than not, their hard work goes unseen. And few people realize they’re also emergency responders; the fire department can’t do its job until our members do theirs,” IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean said. “At best, utility workers are overlooked and taken for granted. At worst, they are harassed and even attacked just for doing their jobs. It’s time for our state to acknowledge, lift up, and recognize the contributions and sacrifices that our members make each and every day.” 

Under Dean’s leadership, Local 1245 has developed a new public awareness campaign this year, aimed at cultivating more respect and appreciation for the skilled and trained IBEW 1245 members that power California.  

To celebrate the launch of this campaign, Local 1245 spearheaded a large public demonstration and worker showcase at the State Capitol in Sacramento on March 13. This exciting, first-of-its-kind event presented a unique opportunity for hundreds of IBEW utility workers to meet with decision-makers and the public face-to-face and educate them on the difficult, hazardous and strenuous jobs they perform to keep the lights on and gas flowing.  

The event was also intended as a call to action directed at the California Legislature, where IBEW 1245 has been pushing for legislators to establish of an official Utility Workers Appreciation Day, as they’ve done for other emergency responders.  

*** 

Dozens of legislators, legislative staffers and other officials came to the event, along with many members of the public. Attendees passed through a series of booths where 1245 members offered live safety demonstrations and tutorials. Hands-on exhibits presented the attendees with the opportunity try on lineman’s gloves; touch and explore line clearance tree trimmer rigging; take the ‘lineman’s challenge’ by learning and then attempting some simple, standard work procedures; go for rides in a bucket truck; check out the inside of a padmount transformer; get up close with gas pipeline tools; and take a closer look at the rigors of the trade. 

“We’re here to show that this isn’t just your basic kind of job that any sort of person can walk up and do,” said IBEW 1245 member Justin Henson, who attended the event to offer close-up demonstrations of the work he does as a PG&E distribution line technician. “It demands and requires a high-intensity level of training, through apprenticeship programs as well as the constant on the-job-training to stay up on the growing technology of today.”  

The Day of Action concluded with an energetic rally, featuring a series of stirring speeches from legislators, IBEW leadership, and utility company executives expressing their appreciation for the hard work and dedication that our members bring to their jobs. 

“I know what it’s like to work, day in and day out, through storms … having those long periods of time when you don’t get to go home, and you’re working in the worst weather, and all kinds of difficult terrain,” IBEW International Vice President Dave Reaves, who previously worked as a journeyman lineman in Alaska, told the crowd of 1245 members at the rally. “You all know your utility systems better than anybody; you know how to safely and efficiently restore power after any climate or emergency event. It takes years of specialized training to work in our utility classifications … You are truly the power and gas professionals in this trade. Thank you for all that you do.”  

“You were the first ones out there during the crazy storm that we had last year and the year before. And you were out there during the crazy heat wave that we had, and the wildfires… I’ve been there when you guys are out restoring power when the wind is blowing 73 miles per hour,” SMUD CEO Paul Lau told the crowd. “You’re definitely the true heroes. And I cannot tell you thank you enough from the bottom of my heart.” 

“We’re here to say thank you. Thank you for working around the clock and in hazardous conditions to ensure that we all have access to safe and reliable energy. Thank you for this steadfast commitment that you demonstrate in your work. Thank you for risking your lives and for leaving your families sometimes for days or weeks at a time to help restore power to your neighbors,” echoed Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris. “We cannot keep California working without you. You have one of the toughest jobs out there and you are deserving of our recognition and our appreciation today, tomorrow, and each and every day.” 

Petrie-Norris, who currently serves as the chair of the Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee, also announced at the rally that she would be introducing a legislative resolution on the floor of the Assembly the very next day to establish March 14 as the official Utility Workers Appreciation Day in California. 

The following day, dozens of IBEW 1245 members marched into the Assembly chambers to show their support for the Utility Workers Appreciation Day resolution (ACR 153), which passed unanimously. Read more about the resolution here.  

“We want to thank the members of the Assembly for passing this resolution with the understanding that these workers aren’t just essential; they’re exceptional,” said Dean. “This work is incredibly demanding, and requires an exceptional level of skill, training, dedication, and attention to detail. It’s physically and mentally challenging, extremely specialized, and incredibly complex, and we will continue to work on behalf of our members to ensure they get the respect and recognition they deserve.” 

View the KCRA news coverage of the event here: Utility workers gather at California Capitol to showcase their craft 

 –Rebecca Band, IBEW 1245 Communications Director 

Photos by John Storey 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•