Strategy Session

Unions, Stakeholders and Citizens Meet with Elected Officials to Discuss Health Mandates
*Various DE unions disagree with the designation as 'federal contractors' placing them under the OSHA mandate

Unhappy citizens disagree with the mandate, and it's effects on the economy

This issue arose after President Biden signed an Executive Order requiring any company that holds federal contracts or performs work on any federal property to mandate vaccines for their employees. There is NO option for weekly testing, plus medical and religious exemptions are limited.

In addition, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has implemented a policy (effective January 4th) requiring all companies with 100 employees or more to require vaccinations or weekly testing. Union employees under Exelon and its subsidiaries, such as Delmarva Power, will be required to abide by this mandate as well.

Nearly 100 members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1238 gathered Tuesday evening in Newport to discuss the effects the mandates would have on their employees. Attendees were universally opposed to the mandates. Many shared their belief that the government was strong arming Americans into injecting their bodies against their will, and others were confused to be considered 'government contractors' since they rarely had work involving the government. All have been on the front lines, wearing masks and insuring power was uninterrupted, since the onset of the health concern.

Already understaffed, they are concerned the government will force the firing of more than half the lineman currently employed. Going into winter months, this could cause disastrous repercussions for the state, which the citizens would immediately feel. Hence the members of the IBEW 1238 plan to meet with members of other unions, as well as Delaware legislators from both political parties to express their discontent and discuss options.

These unions are speaking for ALL of us. If unions are forced to lose staff, Delawareans will rapidly feel the effects. Power will not be easily restored, trucking companies may not deliver commodities and merchandise may not find its way to shelves. In Delaware we have a multiplicity of unions to include bricklayers, truckers, electrician, laborers, iron workers and more. And sadly, while drastic effects to our economy and lives will be felt immediately any possible recovery will be occur gradually.

We hope you will join us to witness a groundbreaking conversation between elected officials, stakeholders and union members from a spectrum of professions such as teachers, steelworkers and linemen.