By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – There are no Alabama Power crews in Florida helping restore electricity. The company did not send its line crews because it's involved in negotiations over a new labor contract. It expired Sunday night and Alabama Power is negotiating a new deal with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The union has already authorized a vote to strike if that's necessary. Alabama Power spokesperson Jan Ellis says the union has promised to give at least two days' notice if there will be a strike. She says considering the circumstances, utility officials believed sending workers to Florida would not be a good idea.