October 26, 2010


RETIRED NV ENERGY WORKERS LAUNCH ONLINE ACCOUNTABILITY CAMPAIGN
Online video, banner campaign to engage statewide audience

RENO, NV — NV Energy retirees launched a statewide online accountability information campaign today to protect the 600 retirees threatened by the company’s decision to slash promised health care benefits. The campaign comes a week after the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245 issued a petition to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada requesting an investigation into the company’s failure to adequately plan for future staffing needs.

The online accountability campaign includes statewide Google banner and Facebook advertisements as well as an online video featuring NV Energy retirees affected by the dramatic reduction of their health benefits.
A recent public opinion poll released last week showed that forty-four percent of Nevadans had an unfavorable view of NV Energy and that customers are deeply troubled by the company’s corporate conduct. Fifty-six percent of Nevadans polled were also “concerned a great deal” about NV Energy’s treatment of retirees.
The same poll found that seventy-five percent of respondents were very concerned that NV Energy customers pay the highest residential utility rates of any Mountain state. Sixty-four percent of respondents said they had a great deal of concern about NV Energy CEO Michael Yackira earning $4.5 million.

“The company is not living up to their commitment and their agreement,” says Ron Borst, a retired journeyman lineman and President of the Reno/Sparks Retiree Club, on the online video.” Borst adds, “They are not short on money and yet they are cutting our benefits plain and simple.”

You can watch the two-minute online video by clicking here.

The retirees' “Shame on NV Energy” campaign has spotlighted the company’s recent cuts in full-page newspaper, radio and television ads throughout Nevada. The campaign's Facebook group, Facebook.com/ShameOnNVEnergy, has gained nearly 6,500 supporters.


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The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245 has represented workers at NV Energy since 1945. Overall, the union represents roughly 20,000 energy workers in Nevada and California.