[Michael G.]

Here's a story I think everyone in Florida should know about the clean-up help with Hurricane lan.

My nephew in Wisconsin is a line man for Wisconsin Electric Co.
He and 13 Fello workers along with their electric trucks with cherry pickers volunteered to drive to Florida from Wisconsin to help with the cleanup.

I just got off the phone with my nephew.

After arriving in Vero Beach after the 4th day, they were told to take their trucks and go back to Wisconsin.

Apparently, Florida electrical unions are supported by retail business, and will not allow other union workers to intervene.

Now if you hear anyone complain down south about not getting their power back in time, here's part of the reason.

I'll bet this story isn't going make it in the Florida newspapers.

[Kenswing]

A lot of equipment and manpower was turned around because it simply wasn’t needed. If they didn’t get there until the fourth day I’m sure a majority of power restoration was already complete. What was left could be handled by local resources. You can’t believe that if something like what you state really happened that the MSM wouldn’t be all over it. They were making up all kinds of stuff as it was to try to discredit the state’s response.

[dewilson58]

Played Southern Oaks last Tuesday.
Noticed dozens and dozens of electrical trucks heading North.
Related??

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Played Southern Oaks last Tuesday.
Noticed dozens and dozens of electrical trucks heading North.
Related??

Has power been restored to the majority of people who lost it and the remainder will finish in a day or two?

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Has power been restored to the majority of people who lost it and the remainder will finish in a day or two?

I doubt it.

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Has power been restored to the majority of people who lost it and the remainder will finish in a day or two?

The latest numbers I can find from around noon today are about 8,200 without power statewide. That’s down from over 2.6 million. That’s well above 99% restored.

[Mrs.Guy]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

The latest numbers I can find from around noon today are about 8,200 without power statewide. That’s down from over 2.6 million. That’s well above 99% restored.

You sure make it tough for people who want to stir it..... throwing facts around like that.

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Here's a story I think everyone in Florida should know about the clean-up help with Hurricane lan.

My nephew in Wisconsin is a line man for Wisconsin Electric Co.
He and 13 Fello workers along with their electric trucks with cherry pickers volunteered to drive to Florida from Wisconsin to help with the cleanup.

I just got off the phone with my nephew.

After arriving in Vero Beach after the 4th day, they were told to take their trucks and go back to Wisconsin.

Apparently, Florida electrical unions are supported by retail business, and will not allow other union workers to intervene.

Now if you hear anyone complain down south about not getting their power back in time, here's part of the reason.

I'll bet this story isn't going make it in the Florida newspapers.

Back in Massachusetts we were without power for 13 days after a severe early season Ice storm. Out of area crews came but were restricted in their activities. Apparently overtime pay for the local union was more "important" than restoring power.

[Papa_lecki]

Found an article from 5 days ago - only 100,000 left without power - i am sure they are all connected now or at least 99% are connected.

Was this the first hurricane in FLA that millions were without power? Is this union line workers thing new?

I know (my dad worked for an electric utility) - you don’t just get in a truck and drive to a hurricane. There are agreements in place between the utilities - because, you know, driving from Wisconsin to FLA could result in an accident, which hits workers comp….. and lots of other legal things that I just don’t want to waste my time on.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

After arriving in Vero Beach after the 4th day, they were told to take their trucks and go back to Wisconsin.

Why did they go to Vero? It’s on the east coast, about 2 hours south or Orlando. Hurricane hit the west coast, and crossed the state around orlando.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Why did they go to Vero? It’s on the east coast, about 2 hours south or Orlando. Hurricane hit the west coast, and crossed the state around orlando.

I never ask why Vero

[Kenswing]

As of 10:00pm tonight (Tuesday) there are 7,808 customers without power in the state. 4,044 of those are in the Jacksonville area unrelated to the hurricane. So basically less than 4,000 costumers without power. Assuming they are all hurricane related it’s still a recovery rate of 99.84%.
Do we really want to whine about a few crews that made the trip for nothing?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Caymus

Back in Massachusetts we were without power for 13 days after a severe early season Ice storm. Out of area crews came but were restricted in their activities. Apparently overtime pay for the local union was more "important" than restoring power.

For some unions such as longshoreman all they care about is themselves

[Dlbonivich]

The 8000 left with power currently can’t even get to their own home by anything but boat. Can’t fix the lines if you can’t use the roads.

[snhmhg]

Mutual Aid Agreements are in place and updated annually between utilities (cooperatives, municipalities and investor owned) to assist quickly in a time of need. No utility company just “shows up”, and lineman are asked by their own utility - who has already communicated with the utility service provider in need - if they want to go and work. Like another stated, many legal issues go into having these things in place prior to any need. Florida has enough experience with hurricanes and knows exactly what they are doing.