You asked for background on Robert Tworkowski's correspondence with the Examining Board for Electrical Work.

Robert Tworkowski expressed his concern about a change in a contractor employment policy made by Southern New England Telephone (SNET) in a February 19, 2002 letter to the Examining Board for Electrical Work. The change allowed SNET to hire unlicensed contractors to perform a certain type of electrical work in the SNET central offices.

On June 7, 2000, SNET requested a clarification from the Department of Consumer Protection concerning electrical licensing requirements for contractors performing electrical line work in SNET central offices on behalf of SNET. Richard Hurlburt, DCP Director of Occupational and Professional Licensing, responded that the law exempts work performed by a contractor's employees while performing electrical line or emergency work for a public service company. Based on a state inspection of the worksite and SNET's description of the work to be performed, he concluded that the described work does not require a license.

In accordance with his response, SNET changed its contractor hiring policy on January 26, 2001.

At a meeting on April 12, 2002, the licensing board reviewed correspondence from Tworkowski and SNET. According to the draft minutes, the board asked Director Hurlburt to write a letter outlining the issue. The letter, once the board has reviewed it, will be sent to the Office of the Attorney General for a "final review and decision on the matter. "

DD: eh