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Local 1245 Again Fights Job-Threatening Ballot Measure October 11, 2002 For the second consecutive year, IBEW Local 1245 members are fighting a San Francisco ballot measure that seeks to municipalize Pacific Gas & Electric assets. Last year, Local 1245 mobilized a massive effort to defeat two similar propositions. Proposition D would give the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission responsibility for generating electricity for city residents, and could lead to a city takeover of PG&Es gas and electric power distribution systems. The proposition contains no provisions to safeguard the wages, working conditions or union status of Local 1245 members working for PG&E in San Francisco.
"Once again we have been put in the position of having to fight at the ballot box for our jobs," said Business Manager Perry Zimmerman of Walnut Creeks Local 1245, which has approximately 12,000 members working for PG&E throughout Northern and Central California. "Proposition D would be a nightmare for our members and a financial disaster for San Francisco." Again this year, Local 1245 has launched a vocal grassroots campaign aimed at convincing the public to vote against Proposition D. Dozens of Local 1245 members have participated in door-to-door leafleting and meetings with neighborhood groups, political leaders and other unions. The local has also placed billboards around the city. Those in favor of the proposition argue that a public power authority would give the city greater control over its power supply and fend off future energy shortages like the ones that crippled California during the states disastrous tangle with electricity deregulation in 2000 and 2001. But the IBEW contends a buyout of PG&E would saddle residents with higher rates while doing nothing to augment power supplies. Local 1245 fears hundreds of Local 1245 members would opt for PG&E jobs outside of San Francisco, further threatening service reliability. An exodus of PG&E employees from San Francisco could ultimately displace thousands of other union members throughout the PG&E system. "The backers of Proposition D have no idea of the effect this would have on our members and they apparently dont care. But this union cares and we wont stand by and let this proposition pass," Zimmerman said.
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