2024 Inter-Union Gas Conference

“Building the Brotherhood & Sisterhood”

The 2024 annual Inter-Union Gas Conference took place in Orlando, Florida from September 30^th  to October 3^rd   with a jam packed 3-day session of workshops and plenary sessions. Hosted by the Utility Workers of America (UWUA-AFL-CIO), the annual event was established in 1980 by six national and international unions representing workers in the gas sector. This year, 430 labor leaders and union members from across the United States and Canada gathered to share expertise, ideas, and information.

IBEW 1245 Assistant Business Manager Mike Adayan and IBEW 1245 Business Representatives Nicole Brooks, Mark Goodwin and Adam Weber co-led the IBEW 1245 delegation to this year’s conference.  17 staff and members participated.

Sister Brooks, a 15-year 1245 member and former Senior Construction Operator for the PG&E GC Gas Transmission Department, led the workshop on Transmission, Storage and Field Operation with union brother Wilbur Engelhardt (USWLocal Union 348 out of Missouri).  95 attendees from 4 Internationals participated.

Brothers Adayan and Weber led a workshop on Distribution. The workshops covered a range of topics, from hydrogen storage and testing to drones, in cab cameras, renewable natural gas, the EPA, protecting our work and pensions, and educating new members. In addition, the conference raised the imperative to address mental health and wellness across our industry and union.

Here are just a few of our delegates’ highlights. 

• Nicole Brooks, Business Representative & Eileen Purcell Sr. Advisor

 

Delegate Highlights: 

My name is David Holtz, a 12-year Ibew 1245 member and PG&E employee with GC Gas (civil underground) based out of Sacramento.

This year’s focus of the conference was mental health and suicide prevention. As the stressors of life build up around us, it can both be a distraction and alter the way we behave. It is ever more important to keep an eye out for one another and check in to see if things are ok and lend an ear when you can. This discussion prompted a conversation within my own family that led to an emotional moment. Simply asking the question, “Are you feeling okay? Have you ever had thoughts of harming yourself?” can mean the world to the person being asked.

“A lot of networking and benchmarking takes place at these meetings to see what is happening across North America affecting gas and dual asset utility companies…It never ceases to amaze me how important the strength of 1245’s contacts are to the rest of the nation. We are absolutely the “tip of the spear” when it comes to harnessing technology and making gains for our membership, protecting jobs, and navigating a volatile and sometimes threatening political climate. We must continue to work safe, lead by example, and be our brothers and sisters’ keeper.”

– David Holtz, Working Foreman B – T300 Gas Construction, PG&E

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“I had expressed interest to several IBEW representatives in the months leading up to the conference and feel fortunate to have been selected on behalf of the IBEW 1245 family. This was my first conference, and I now have a better understanding of the value in gas unions coming together to share ideas, processes, and ongoing support.”

• Mario Gallardo Jr., Corrosion Mechanic, T200 T&D, PG&E

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“Speaker Joyce Marter, LCPC spoke on Mental Health and Wellness. Brian Carbary & Brandon Martyiuk UWUA L254 did a great job on presenting trench preparedness with how to rescue, what needs to be said on 911 calls and how to carry somebody to safety. Rena Harrington was a speaker. She is President of United Support & Memorial for Work Fatalities (USMWF). Her foundation provides support for families that have lost loved ones due to workplace accidents. Rena told her story of losing her son in a construction accident. Her speech was very powerful and made me think about how and what we can do to be safer on the job. It was an honor to be selected to attend and represent IBEW 1245.”  

• Cody McCullar, General Foreman, Gas Plant Group, NV Energy 

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“I was able to hear what other field service employees from across the US and Canada were experiencing. It appears utility companies all have similar struggles. The workforce has in-cab video and audio devices on their vehicles which can be used for discipline. Utility companies all have PMVI which have gone up so they want to try to fix the issue. I learned that some utility companies have apprenticeships for field service personnel. They actually run gas services and set gas meters whereas PG&E splits up the responsibilities. Other utilities actually sell and install HVAC systems. There’s a new refrigerant being used which causes CO alarms to go off when installed and is slightly flammable so it can only be installed with compression fittings. In Canada they were using a thread sealant which has lead in it.  The product is called Masters Mechanic, and it is clearly labeled on the outside that the product has lead. It’s currently still for sale in Canada which I cannot believe.” 

“There’s a small gas meter called “Intelis” being used across the US which has the ability to be shut off remotely like an electric smart meter. Colorado and Minnesota utility companies are using contractors to respond to indoor gas leaks. Dispatch is being outsourced in parts of the states and field service being routed all over the place because they cover multiple states not just cities. I learned how to move a body easily in case a peer was unresponsive by Brian Carbary and Brandon Martyniuk who explained trench preparedness. We also got to hear from a mother named Rena Harrington who lost her son in a tragic construction accident. I’m thankful I was invited to hear what’s going on outside our utility, and I was able to share how we do things at PG&E. Others do not have useable tees at the meter sets, or quick change tanks, or rotameters to check for leaks on house lines. It was a great experience.”

-Arturo Loza, Gas Service Representative, T200 Gas Service, PG&E

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“As I set out to my first Inter union gas conference in Orlando, Florida this year, I wasn’t sure what to expect. With a hurricane looming in the state, I wasn’t sure we would be able to fly in at all. After arriving and listening to the opening speaker regarding mental health awareness, I could see it hit home to a lot of my brothers and sisters. Throughout the week I attended gas service and safety seminars, and it really made me appreciate how well we have it at PG&E and IBEW 1245. Hearing about some of the struggles others go through regarding training and safety issues in their states makes the statement about being your brother’s keeper hit home even more. The conversations during our down time with brothers and sisters from the United States and Canada proved how strong the union camaraderie really is.”

• Mikie Nelson, Gas Service, PG&E 

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“One of my takeaways was the Health and Wellness from Joyce Marter. She spoke about stress. She broke it down by age group and race, but what spoke to me was 27% or all adults said that most days they are so stressed they can’t function.  Joyce also pointed out how important it is to stomp out the stigma of Mental Health, to have conversations about mental health and to practice compassion, which I know is a no brainer, but it is not put into practice enough.  I learned there was a suicide hotline. The coin I received from the conference is in my office, and I have been asked about it, so know it just opens conversations. I was also very impressed by Rena Harrington: losing a child is the most desolate journey a person can take, but she has become a voice for workplace fatalities and shares her story. All I can say is “WOW”!

I also learned not all locals are treated equally, thank you 1245.”

• Sandra Mendoza, Sr. Operating Clerk, PG&E 

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“This was the first Gas Conference that I was selected for and was able to attend to represent our Local Union.  The first day of the conference had speakers that spoke of policies put in place by the Biden administration that directly benefit Union workers.  The Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, and the Chips Act were discussed in detail.  All of these policies directly benefit Union workers throughout the country.  … An interesting fact that was brought up was that on the coldest day of the year (January 13, 2024), 62% of total energy produced was from gas.  The need for gas as an energy source in the United States and Canada will not see a reduction any time in the near future.”  

• Gary Maschio, IBEW 1245 Executive Board Member

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“This being my first conference, I found it very informative and enlightening. I didn’t know that this conference even existed, but after being informed by my business rep, Phuong Tran, that I was chosen to go, I am glad I was and would greatly appreciate any opportunity to attend again. I didn’t realize how strong our union was until I talked to other union brothers and sisters at the conference. Hearing how they had used sections of our contract to improve their contract during negotiations was great.” 

• Joshua Garza, Working Foreman B, Gas T&D, PG&E

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“The mental health discussion really struck home for me. I’ve been in a situation when a fellow employee put his faith in me to discuss his suicidal thoughts. Being a part of Control the Pressure, (CTP) Safety committee, gave me the confidence to stop the job and help this individual get the necessary professional help needed. We are our brothers and sisters’ keepers and need to look out for each other in the field. We are all family!”

“Trench Preparedness with Brian Carbary and Brandon Martynuik with UWUA L254, did a great presentation on trench rescue and safety. Being an operator for NV ENERGY gas D366 I never thought of how we could get someone that was knocked out or unconscious out of a trench or away from danger, especially if they were way bigger than me. The presentation that Brian and Brandon put on was very informative and hands-on. I volunteered with my coworker Marty to go up on stage to demonstrate an easy maneuver to drag  a fellow employee to safety, large or small. They also showed us how to use our ladder in the trench to safely remove a downed worker out of the trench with ease. I will definitely be implementing this at NV Energy safety meetings and at my future CTP presentations.”

• Russell Hires, Gas Operator, NV Energy

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“The biggest take away for me was how many Brothers and Sisters have no Rest Period language in their CBA. I’d say around 25% of the delegates represented fell into this category. When comparing 1245’s Rest Period language to the other delegates that do have Rest Period, 1245 properties have by far the strongest language. Mike and Adam did let the workshop know to look at the Rest Period language in the Contracts on the IBEW 1245 website.”

“The guest speakers that made this conference for me were two Brother’s out of UWUA 254, Brian Carbary & Brandon Martynuik. They addressed Trench Preparedness. I’ve personally always had a worry of a fellow crew member dropping in the trench from a medical issue, with no way for us to get them out safely before medical personnel arrive to start lifesaving operations. These gentlemen enacted a few measures that can expedite the call to 911,  move an unconscious individual, and remove an unconscious individual safely from a trench with the equipment already onsite.”

• Troy Callahan, General Foreman, Gas Operations, NV Energy 

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Established in 1980, the Inter-Union Gas Conference is hosted annually on a rotating basis by a group of six national and international unions whose members work in the gas industry. Participating unions include: 

• The Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA)
• The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
• Unifor
• The United Steel Workers (USW)
• The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipefitting, and Sprinkler Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA)
• The United Food and Commercial Workers/International Chemical Workers Union (UFCW/ICWU).
• (https://uwua.net/inter-union-gas-conference/ )