IN MEMORIAM: HAROLD “LYNN” LOWERY IBEW Local 1245 member Harold “Lynn” Lowery was fatally injured in a fall on Oct. 7 while working on a pole replacement in Garberville, CA. Brother Lowery, a General Construction lineman for Pacific Gas & Electric, was initiated into the IBEW in 1979. He had been at PG&E since 1997…. [Read More]
PG&E CAMPAIGN FOR THE COMMUNITY: SEPTEMBER 21 – OCTOBER 30
PG&E CAMPAIGN FOR THE COMMUNITY: SEPTEMBER 21 – OCTOBER 30 PG&E’s 2010 Campaign for the Community runs from Sept. 21 through Oct. 30. The campaign is a pledge drive to raise money for schools and charitable organizations. Local 1245 members can make a pledge to the nonprofit organization of your choice. Members can pledge online at… [Read More]
PG&E Crews Work On Reconstruction in Wake of Dobbins Fire
A fire near Dobbins, CA (Yuba County) was sparked by a bird in a power line on Aug. 14. The fire burned nearly 3900 acres before it was contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire threatened a power house and transmission lines and destroyed two residences. IBEW Local 1245… [Read More]
PG&E Gets Approval For Solar Deal
Editor’s note: The following story by David Baker appeared Aug. 21 in the San Francisco Chronicle. California energy regulators on Thursday (Aug. 20) gave Pacific Gas and Electric Co. permission to buy electricity from two large solar power plants that an Oakland firm plans to build in the Mojave Desert. The California Public Utilities Commission… [Read More]
PG&E Seeks Higher Bar For Municipalities Wanting To Sell Power
Editor’s note: This story by David Baker appeared Aug. 18 in the San Francisco Chronicle. For years, cities dissatisfied with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. have tried to break away from the utility company, either by joining another or going into the power business for themselves. They have rarely succeeded in breaking free. Now PG&E… [Read More]
IBEW/PG&E Joint Statement On Electric T&D Jurisdictional Issues
On July 20, 2009 representatives from PG&E and IBEW Local 1245 met to discuss what work is appropriately done by Troublemen and Electric Crews. The meeting was scheduled after questions were raised on when it is appropriate for one or more Troublemen to restore electric service versus calling out an Electric Crew from the Title… [Read More]
Joint Statement On Meals Policy at PG&E
Editor’s note: The following is a joint statement by IBEW Local 1245 and PG&E concerning Meals Policy. IBEW Local 1245 staff met with PG&E on July 20 to discuss the company’s Meals Policy. PG&E attendees included Bill Hayes, Kirk Johnson, Mike Swanson, Meri Issel, Steve Rayburn, Carol Pound, Sarah Speakman, Donna Rodella and Bill Levins. … [Read More]
PG&E Says 1920s Power Line Sparked Recent San Francisco Fire
Editor’s note: This story by David Baker appeared June 16 in the San Francisco Chronicle. A faulty power line from the 1920s caused the spectacular June 5 underground fire that shot flames 30 feet into the air above a manhole in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said Wednesday. The old, direct-current… [Read More]
Climbing Methods Committee: A Progress Report
By Larry Pierce The Climbing Methods Committee has met twice since the last report. Here is an update on those two meetings. The committee met on May 20 at PG&E’s Livermore Training Center. The committee included 15 IBEW bargaining unit members from climbing classifications throughout the system. The IBEW members were a cross section which… [Read More]
Diablo Firefighters Agreement
IBEW Local 1245 and PG&E on May 7 reached agreement in Diablo Canyon firefighter negotiations for increased wages. The agreement provides for a skills premium of an additional 4% over present wages, applied to everything. The 4% premium will kick in for present incumbents with a lump sum payment retroactive from signature date until SAP… [Read More]