Originally published in Labor Today
HOUSTON, TX—After Hurricane Beryl caused significant damage, linemen at CenterPoint Energy have been working to recover power to the Houston area. 2.2 million people were affected and over 134,000 people are still without power after the disaster taking place on July 17th. The past week has also had workers at CenterPoint, including office staff and linemen, receive harassment and death threats, prompting a response from IBEW local 66. Sunday July 14th, Local 66 Business Manager Ed Allen held a press meeting responding to the threats as unacceptable.
“We’ve had guys that had rocks picked up and slung at them. We’ve had people brandishing AK-47s at them. It needs to stop. I’ve had several companies already tell me if it doesn’t stop, ‘We’re going to get in our trucks and drive off.’”
Ed Allen, IBEW Local 66 Business Manager
- The list of incidents include:
- Social media posts threatening to shoot CenterPoint headquarters.
- Workers being threatened with guns and rocks and also being told they will be shot if they don’t work in a certain neighborhood.
- CenterPoint employees receiving angry phone calls and emails.
Such events have seen evacuations of approximately 100 linemen in areas where workers have been threatened, only delaying the restoration of power. One woman documented her brother’s experiences who traveled to the Houston area to help restore power. Besides many individuals leaving their families for an unclear amount of time, workers do not play a role in the decision making and are often waiting for directives from the chain of command. LUEL condemns acts of violence against workers and wish the linemen and utility workers restoring power a safe working environment free from any threats and intimidation.
