IBEW 1245 has long espoused a mantra stolen from Wayne Gretzky. When it comes to the careers and livelihoods of our members, we prefer to skate where the puck is going, not where it currently is.
This captures our feelings on t
he UAS (unmanned aircraft system) industry. Ten years ago, then business manager Tom Dalzell sought, and gained approval to send twelve 1245 members to Alpena, Michigan to get certified to operate drones for various signatory employers to IBEW.
Since then, there has been some gradual progress to get additional members trained and certified to operate drones, but at PG&E, most drones being used are being operated by contractors who are not 1245 members. This is an issue near the top of the list as we begin collective bargaining with PG&E for the first time in 10 years.
At the UAS Expo, it didn’t take long to see how far the industry has come in recent years. We witnessed numerous demonstrations of UAS devices that performed what we’d consider line work. Washing insulators, repairing conductor, and installing bird diverters were a few of the tasks that were shown to be performed with just an operator and an observer.
While drone patrols of utility infrastructure have become the norm of late, there is proposed legislation, both at the state and federal level that threatens the jobs of members in certain classifications.
The FAA is considering removing the BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) requirement for utility drone operations. This would mean a circuit could be patrolled by a drone that has locations programmed into it, and not have an observer required to be able to see drone.
At the state level, drones have always been considered an “enhanced inspection” that does not take the place of a ground patrol. The 3 California IOUs are petitioning the CPUC to allow drones to be the primary means of inspections rather than ground patrols.
We understand technological advances come in all shapes and sizes. It’s hard to argue that a drone patrol isn’t safer or more efficient than how lines are currently patrolled.
It’s clear that UAS are not just knocking at our door. They are in our house. We plan to make every effort to keep this work signatory to our membership, regardless of who the employer is.
UAS and AI are going to touch every member we represent in some manner. We are preparing for these battles each and everyday.
-Senior Assistant Business Managers Bob Gerstle