Utility Workers Union of America President James Slevin joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the need to protect utility resources from cyber attacks, especially in light of the tragic war in the Ukraine and Russia’s increased aggression on the world stage.
Though utility companies are constantly on the lookout for potential cyber security threats, more needs to be done, Slevin said. Automated systems can present dangers to utility workers as well as the public. He called for a more aggressive and public reporting system for cyber attacks that have been made on utility companies.
More often, utility companies use contractors to perform work on their systems, and many of these contractors are not required to pass a background check, Slevin noted. He said more needs to be done to vet these workers, such as a requirement to carry a certification similar to Transportation Worker Identification Credentials, which are required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers who need access to secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities and vessels.
Slevin also talked about the challenges his membership faced early in the pandemic. Members worked throughout the pandemic to ensure the public had access to essential services, he said. Some adjustments needed to be made in the interest of worker safety, such as sending out multiple trucks to a utility call so members could practice social distancing, he explained.
Lastly, Slevin discussed the need to develop hydrogen hubs into the nation’s utility grid in order to use natural gas resources more efficiently.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.