This is a short version. The full commentary can be found at:   
      
    www.tinyrul.com/9gew74n   
      
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    Is Union Busting to Blame for Power Outages in DC?   
      
    The 15,091 D.C.-area residents without power for sixth day in a   
    row may have under-staffing to blame.   
      
    Saturday, 07 July 2012 13:12 By Mike Elk   
      
    On Thursday, 15,091 Washington, D.C.-area residents were   
    without power for the sixth day in a row, according to utility   
    company Pepco spokesman Marcus Beal. As D.C. residents face   
    record heat waves, many are upset and attribute the lack of   
    power to incompetence on Pepco's end. However, International   
    Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1900 members   
    claim the failure to restore power outages is due to chronic   
    understaffing and Pepco's shift from hiring union utility   
    workers to non-union temporary contractors.   
      
    "We have half the linemen we had 15 years ago," says IBEW Local   
    1900 Business Agent Jim Griffin, whose union represents 1,150   
    Pepco workers. "We have been complaining for a very long time.   
      
    ...   
      
    Originally published at InTheseTimes.com   
      
       Mike Elk   
      
    Mike Elk is a labor journalist and third-generation union   
    organizer based in Washington, D.C. He writes frequently for In   
    These Times, AlterNet, and the American Prospect. You can follow   
    him on Twitter at @MikeElk.    
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   BOB KLAHN bob.klahn@sev.org   http://home.toltbbs.com/bobklahn   
      
   ... Hillsdale College - Where you have to pay to be a jerk.   
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