Timio Archuleta, a 39-year member of Denver Local 111, didn’t pull seniority when it came time to plan this year’s Electrical Workers Minority Caucus meeting. He personally stuffed hundreds of packets with information for those who would attend.
Archuleta, an assistant business manager, says he is excited by the “tremendous effort to give young people at the caucus meeting and convention the opportunity to mingle with each other and get tools to be the next leaders of the IBEW.” He recalls his own introduction to activism:
I was part of the Chicano movement in high school. We organized because Mexican-Americans didn’t have the same opportunities for training that other students had. I’m proud of who I am, but it wasn’t always OK to be one of my race.
Today, Archuleta, who got involved in the union early in his work career, helps administer a local union that delivers Spanish immersion classes for English-speaking members and has focused on renewing its ranks as senior workers retire.
Says Archuleta:
The IBEW is a great organization. Everything I have I owe to the union. I’m hopeful that we will grow stronger as we reach out and convince more members to get involved.
September 19, 2011 
