Labor & Employment Law

IBEW Members in Gulf Coast Rebuilding Lives, Communities

By James Parks

The residents of Louisiana?s Gulf Coast are determined to rebuild their lives and their communities after suffering the Triple whammy of Hurricane Katrina, the recession and  the biggest oil spill in U.S. history.

Union members who live and work in the area, including members of the Electrical Workers (IBEW) are trying to make it through these tough times themselves while also helping rebuild the region (see video).

But it?s a job they do willingly, not just for the pay, but because they want to keep the unique lifestyle of the Louisiana Gulf Coast alive. One-third of the area residents who evacuated after Katrina have not returned leaving it to those who remain to rejuvenate the region. 

As one member of IBEW Local 130 put it:

This is my backyard. This is what I?ve grown up doing. This is our life. If we don?t try to save this, then we won?t have a tomorrow for our kids.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on August 23, 2010 (boomark / email).