http://www.waff.com/story/19981857/some-nonunion-ala-crews-turned-away-from-sandy-recoverySEASIDE HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY (WAFF) -
The hurricane-ravaged east coast has been receiving north Alabama help, but crews learned they could not help out in New Jersey unless they affiliated with a union.
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Utility crews volunteer for Sandy
Utility crews volunteered with Sandy recovery. See photos.
A six man crew from Decatur Utilities headed up there this week, but Derrick Moore, one of the Decatur workers, said they were told by crews in New Jersey that they can't do any work there since they're not union employees.
The general manager of Decatur Utilities, Ray Hardin told Fox Business they were presented documents from the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers at a staging area in Virginia. The documents stated they had to affiliate with a union to work, which the crews could not agree to.
Hardin said the crews were not turned away but were made to believe that affiliating with the union was a requirement to work.
"It was and remains our understanding that agreeing to those requirements was a condition of being allowed to work in those areas," said Hardin.
As they waited for confirmation on the documents, crews received word that Seaside Heights had received the assistance they needed from other sources.
They attempted to look for work in other areas but because a resolution could not be reached, they made the decision late Thursday night to return home.
Moore said they're frustrated being told "thanks, but no thanks."
Huntsville Utilities said they were not turned away and are in Long Island, New York working.
Joe Wheeler EMC said they did not respond to New Jersey, but did go up to Maryland and headed home once they were done.
