Huntsville, Joe Wheeler utilities deny claims of union discrimination during Sandy response
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Representatives with Huntsville Utilities and Joe Wheeler Cooperative, two area utilities mentioned in media reports claiming their crews were not allowed to help with storm aid in New Jersey because they were non-union, said this morning the story is untrue.
The general manager of the other department mentioned, Decatur Utilities, has since verified claims that his workers were asked to affiliate with a union.
Bill Yell, spokesman for Huntsville Utilities, said nine of his employees are currently helping with recovery from Hurricane Sandy and had no union-related issues.
“That’s a rumor,” he said. “We are starting work this morning with Long Island Power Authority. We were headed to a New Jersey utility but they had all the crews they could handle.”
This damn story is spreading like wildfire and as it turns out, is another right-wing BS campaign.
