Each September, we celebrate Labor Day, a national tribute to the contributions American workers make to the strength and prosperity of our country.
The word labor is defined as an expenditure of physical or mental effort, especially when difficult or compulsory. That definition is not lost on the employees of Central Texas Electric Cooperative (CTEC).
When the lights go off—whether due to thunderstorms, fires or ice storms—our line-workers leave their families to work tirelessly in harsh and dangerous conditions to restore your power. Other employees handle your phone calls and dispatch crews to get electricity flowing to your home as quickly and safely as possible.
But that doesn’t mean the job is a laborious punishment. It’s a labor of love.
When the weather goes awry and the calls start coming in, employees who are safe at home often call in to see if there’s anything they can do to help. We’ve had customer service representatives simply show up to help answer members’ calls during a crisis. This is because they care about what they do. They care about the membership. And nothing is more important than making sure that every member is safe and sound—with the power humming— even during inclement weather.
And it’s not just when the lights are off that our employees are working hard. Their dedication is evident every day.
Our lineworkers go through extensive training to ensure their safety and that of their fellow crew members. Our office staff is also trained to stay safe around electricity, and this, in turn, helps ensure your safety. CTEC is always here to educate you about the dangers of electricity, and through Texas Co-op Power and other avenues, we pass along tips to help keep you safe and save you money by making energy-conscious decisions.
We don’t do this because it’s our job. We do it because we care about you, our members, who are our friends, family, and neighbors.
Today I want to ask you, our member-owners, to thank a co-op employee if you see one. Thank them for their commitment, their talent, their hard work, and their service to the membership of this cooperative. After all, even though our offices will be closed for Labor Day on September 4, if your power goes out, we’ll be on our way to fix it, holiday or no holiday.