The union emphasized that reliable utility service is not merely a convenience; it is essential to public safety, healthcare, education, economic development, manufacturing, emergency response, and the quality of life of families throughout the region. As severe weather, aging infrastructure, population growth, and expanding energy needs place greater demands on the system, Local 12775 is urging utility leadership, state regulators, elected officials, and policymakers to prioritize the skilled local workforce needed to meet those challenges.
“Our members are proud to serve the communities where they live, raise families, coach youth sports, volunteer, pay taxes, and respond when their neighbors need help. Whether it is restoring power after storms, responding to gas and electric emergencies, maintaining critical infrastructure, or keeping the system operating safely day after day, our membership has shown outstanding commitment, professionalism, and dedication to Northern Indiana.” - Ryan Baker, president of USW Local 12775
Local 12775 commends its members for their exceptional work under demanding conditions, including severe weather events, emergency callouts, long restoration efforts, and the increasingly complex demands of maintaining modern utility infrastructure. Their skill, safety focus, and commitment to their communities are central to keeping Northern Indiana moving.
At the same time, the union believes those workers must be supported by adequate permanent staffing levels, proper training, local hiring, and year-round emergency response resources. Local 12775 is urging NIPSCO and relevant state and local decision-makers to address current and future staffing needs before emergencies occur—not only after storms or outages strain the system.
USW Local 12775 Priorities
USW Local 12775 is calling for increased local frontline staffing to meet approved regulatory levels; strengthened storm response capabilities and emergency preparedness; expanded workforce development opportunities; prioritization of qualified local workers and established regional contractors; greater transparency around staffing, vacancies, storm restoration performance, contractor utilization, and workforce investments; and continued regulatory focus on reliability, workforce adequacy, and emergency readiness.
The union recognizes that mutual-aid crews and outside assistance can play an important role during major emergencies. However, Local 12775 believes excessive reliance on temporary, out-of-state, or transient workforces can create challenges related to local system knowledge, accountability, long-term workforce development, institutional experience, and cost to ratepayers. A strong permanent local workforce is better positioned to know the infrastructure, understand the communities served, and respond quickly when conditions change.
“Investing in Local 12775 members and other qualified local utility workers is an investment in safer neighborhoods, faster restoration, stronger reliability, and family-supporting careers,” Baker said. “Our members have earned the respect of their communities through their work ethic, technical skill, and commitment to service. They deserve the staffing levels, training, tools, and support necessary to continue doing that work at the highest level.”
Call to Action
USW Local 12775 respectfully joins with Governor Mike Braun, and calls on the Indiana General Assembly, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, local mayors, county commissioners, state and federal representatives serving Northern Indiana, and NIPSCO leadership to work together to assess staffing needs, develop workforce growth targets, encourage local hiring and training initiatives, and ensure communities receive the reliable, affordable, and emergency services they deserve.
USW Local 12775 remains committed to standing with its members, advocating for the communities they serve, and promoting a safer, stronger, and more reliable utility system for Northern Indiana.