Karen Russell at the IBEW San Jose Pin Dinner in San Jose, Calif. in May 2014
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of long-time member and IBEW 1245 retiree, Karen Russell.
Initiated in 1979, Sister Russell worked at PG&E until retiring in 2021 as a Senior Operating Clerk, capping a 52-year career.
Sister Russell served on countless committees to promote and defend the clerical contract at PG&E. In 2010, when the company proposed introducing a permanent two-tier wage scale for clerks, outsourcing bill, print mail, and contracting out call center work, she helped lead the charge to protect the gains made over years of bargaining. “A good clerk,” she declared, “is worth their weight in gold. There are thousands and thousands of tasks that they perform that nobody particularly pays attention to until they’re not done.”
Assistant Business Manager Marsha Burnett shared, “From the start, Karen embodied the very best of what it means to be union: standing shoulder to shoulder with her brothers and sisters, holding firm to the values of fairness, accountability, and solidarity. Her commitment to justice was evident in her outstanding service on the Review Committee, where she argued tirelessly on behalf of members, challenging contractual violations and holding the company accountable to the standards we all uphold. She was fearless in her pursuit of fairness and unwavering in her belief that every member deserved to be treated with dignity and respect. Karen’s passing is a profound loss, but her influence lives on in every case she fought, every voice she uplifted, and every life she touched. We are better—for her presence, her service, and her friendship.”
Retired IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager, Ed Dwyer, added,
“I first met Karen in early 2007 when she joined the PG&E Review Committee. She was one of four union members on the panel to attempt to settle grievances that could not be settled at the previous steps. At that time, I was a Business Rep. Then in 2011 I took the position of Secretary of the Review Committee, and Karen and I became good friends. That is when I found out she was a speed-reader. What took me hours to study the facts of a case, the exhibits, hand written notes, and contract sections took her a tenth of the time. The arguments in the committee we had with each other and with the Company were sometimes heated and exhausting, but she was always right there with great ideas, a level head, and a positive attitude. We met each month for two days, sometimes longer, to resolve grievance issues. I retired in 2016, but Karen kept at it until her retirement in February 2021. I’m sure it was hard to find a replacement when she left. I would talk to her on occasion, before and after her retirement, always keeping her in my thoughts and prayers. The IBEW 1245 and its members owe Karen a debt of gratitude for her tireless efforts as a dedicated Union member, Senior Operating Clerk II, and 14 years of service to the Review Committee.”
On behalf of the IBEW 1245 family, we extend our sincere condolences to Sister Russell’s family and to all who knew and loved her.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 1:00pm at the Church of Scientology in San Jose, CA.