Emergency Electrical Workers Require COVID-19 Vaccinations Now

The members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1049, the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2 and Local 101 have never shied away from their responsibility to help their Long Island neighbors. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, they have worked tirelessly to restore electric, gas service, home heating systems, water heaters, air conditions, internet and cable TV to tens of thousands of homes and local Long Island businesses.

Today, at Local 1049’s Holtsville headquarters, Local 1049, along with Local 1-2 and Local 101, urged New York State to move Union members from Phase 1C to Phase 1B, so that they can be vaccinated now and safely do their job to keep the Long Island economy moving and Long Islanders safe.

“Since the start of the pandemic, our members have traveled daily into residential homes which have included the elderly who are sheltering in place, visited businesses which are working to produce PPP equipment to keep hospital workers safe, and worked inside schools and residences to ensure uninterrupted cable and internet service so teachers could communicate with their students,” said Pat Guidice, Business Manager, IBEW Local 1049. “It’s vital that we get these workers vaccinated now; to not only protect themselves while answering our communities’ calls, but to also prevent a super spreader scenario, simply because they are not yet eligible for the vaccine. They must receive vaccinations now by being classified to receive the vaccines in the Phase 1B vaccination category.”

Jim Shillitto, President, Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, Local 1-2 added, “Our members have never shied away from their responsibilities to help their Long Island neighbors in need. Now we must support their hard work by keeping them, and the community, safe.”