By Mike Tilden, IBEW 1245 Business Representative
At IBEW 1245, we often talk about Brotherhood, craftsmanship, and standing up for one another. Those aren’t just words, they’re values carried forward by the Members who live them every day, year after year, often without recognition.
After 42 years of service at PG&E, IBEW 1245 Shop Steward Jack South retires as one of those Members.
His career is a reflection of what our Union is built on: hard work, quiet pride, and a willingness to step up when it matters. He was kind enough to sit down with retired IBEW 1245 Business Representative Keith Hopp and myself to reflect on that career.
A Career Built from the Ground Up
Jack was hired on with PG&E in July of 1983 as a Summer Gas Helper in Woodland. Prior to that, he spent several years working for the railroad in Kentucky, an experience that helped shape the work ethic he would carry throughout his career.
What started as a temporary opportunity quickly became something more.
“I hoped it would turn into a career,” he said. “I was looking for stability.”
In September of 1986, Jack earned his Apprenticeship and continued progressing through the trade; Helper, Apprentice Fitter-Arc, Fitter-Arc, Gas Mechanic, Gas Crew Foreman, and ultimately Gas M&C Coordinator.
His entire career was spent in gas, building a deep understanding of the work and earning the respect of those around him.
He didn’t chase recognition, he focused on doing the job right.
“If you did a good job, you knew you did a good job.”
Answering the Call to Stand Up
Like many strong Union Members, Jack didn’t plan on becoming a Shop Steward. He stepped into the role when he saw something that needed to be addressed.
“I became a Shop Steward because a supervisor was bullying people,” he said. “I said, this is bullshit.”
That moment set the tone for the rest of his Union service.
“The only reason I ever took on this role was to help my Brothers and Sisters.”
Over the years, Jack represented Members through difficult situations, always grounded in honesty and fairness. He understood that being a Steward wasn’t just about fighting, it was about credibility.
“You have to be honest with people,” he said. “It’s important to be a straight shooter.”
That balance, standing firm while staying grounded, is what made him so effective.
The Work, the People, and the Pride
Jack South on the job.
When reflecting on what made the job meaningful, Jack consistently came back to the people.
Throughout his career, he learned from mentors and worked alongside influential coworkers who helped shape his approach to both the trade and our Union. Those relationships, built over decades in the field, were just as important as the work itself.
“There’s good and bad in everything,” he said. “You take what you learn from the people you respect and apply it. The rest, you leave behind.”
Retired IBEW 1245 Business Representative Keith Hopp echoed that sentiment, noting that Jack was someone you could always count on.
“It made the day better to work with him,” Hopp said about South. “We learned from each other, and we were always the hard-chargers.”
That mindset, learning, adapting, and carrying forward what matters, is a hallmark of the trade and reflects something every 1245 Member understands: this job is about more than the work, it’s about the people you do it with.
A Changing Company, A Constant Work Ethic
Over four decades, Jack saw PG&E evolve through major shifts such as changes in leadership, industry pressures, and moments of uncertainty that tested the workforce.
“PG&E constantly morphs and changes,” he said.
Through it all, the expectations of the job remained the same.
Whether responding to emergencies, supporting crews, or handling the day-to-day demands of the trade, Jack carried a simple mindset:
You see the job through, no matter what it takes.
It’s a mentality rooted in pride, responsibility, and the understanding that the work matters.
“Even when you’re bone tired, you keep going,” he said. “That’s something the job teaches you about life.”
The Reality Behind the Work
For Jack, the reality of the work is often very different from how it’s viewed on the outside.
“Many people see the corporate side of the company and think we’re part of those decisions,” he said. “But we’re out there doing the real work, keeping people safe, solving problems, dealing with things most people never see.”
That includes real risk and responsibility.
“There was a lot more cowboy stuff back when I first started,” he said. “It’s far safer now, and that’s a good thing, but it wasn’t always that way.”
It’s a reminder that behind every service call, every repair, and every emergency response are skilled Union workers carrying out essential work, usually without recognition.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Over the course of a long career, there are moments that shape who you become, both on and off the job.
For Jack, those moments reinforced the importance of discipline, resilience, and perspective. Like many who spend decades in the trade, he learned how to push through adversity, stay grounded, and focus on what matters.
At its core, the job instilled a simple but powerful lesson:
“You see the job through, no matter what it takes.”
He also emphasized something he believes doesn’t get talked about enough:
Take care of yourself, both physically and mentally.
A long career in the trade takes a toll, and Jack encourages younger Members to prioritize their health so they can enjoy the years that follow.
Advice to the Next Generation
Jack South at the 2024 IBEW 1245 Sacramento Pin Dinner celebrating 40 years of service.
When asked what advice he would give to new hires, Jack kept it straightforward:
“Follow the rules. Don’t play games trying to see what you can get away with.”
It’s advice shaped by experience. By seeing both the opportunities this career can provide and the consequences when people take it for granted.
For those just starting out, his message reflects the values that have sustained generations of Union workers: show up, do the work, take pride in it, and look out for each other.
A Well-Earned Retirement
As Jack steps into retirement, he’s looking forward to something simple but meaningful: spending more time with his family.
After more than four decades of early mornings, long days, and answering the call when needed, it’s time to shift to that focus.
A Legacy of Brotherhood and Service
At IBEW 1245, careers like Jack South’s are the foundation of who we are.
They represent the quiet consistency of Members who show up every day, do the job right, and stand up for others when it matters most. They reflect a commitment not just to the work, but to each other.
Jack’s 42-year career is a testament to that tradition.
As he steps into retirement, he leaves behind more than a job well done, he leaves behind an example. One that will carry forward in the crews he worked with, the Members he represented, and the standards he upheld.
Because in the end, the values that define our Union aren’t written in contracts alone, they’re lived out in the careers of Members like Jack South.
And for 42 years, he lived those values.