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1980-1986 Hanging On - Labor in the Reagan Era

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A view of the thousands of people gathered outside St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City for the 1986 funeral of former IBEW International Treasurer and Local 3, New York, Business Manager-Financial Secretary Harry Van Arsdale Jr.

And two years later, the Brotherhood was saddened once again to announce the death of a man the April 1986 Journal called one of the truly great giants of American labor, [former International Treasurer and Local 3, New York, business manager-financial secretary] Harry Van Arsdale. He passed away on February 16, 1986.”

As North America moved through the 1980s, attitudes began to shift. By the time the Iran-Contra, “arms-for -hostages’ scandal first became public in 1986, the claims of American economic recovery and financial prosperity declared by the Reagan administration were becoming ever-more-painfully hollow. Democrats regained control in the Senate, increased their control in the House in the 1986 Congressional elections, and began to exercise their right to override the president’s veto of progressive legislation. America, it seemed, became increasingly tired of the idea proclaimed in the 1986 hit movie Wall Street, “Greed is good.”

Shifts were also evident within the IBEW by mid-decade. Ralph Leigon, who had served as International Secretary since 1976, announced his retirement effective October 1985. President Pillard, in accordance with Article IV, Section 2 of the IBEW Constitution, turned to then- Eleventh District Vice President Jack F. Moore to fill Brother Leigon’s term.

A year later President Pillard announced his own retirement, effective August 1986. Brother Pillard served as International President for 18 years, the longest continuous tenure of any IBEW President. Brother Pillard was also the youngest man ever to hold the office of International President. Upon his retirement the International Executive Council voted unanimously to name him International President Emeritus.

The IFC appointed then-third District International Vice President J.J. Barry to fill Brother Pillard’s term. President Barry and Secretary Moore knew when they took office they had a tough fight ahead: to capitalize on the growing dissatisfaction with Reagan Era antiunion policies. They knew their job was to continue the fight begun in 1891 to secure a better life for those working-people in the electrical industry and those people within the community the IBEW shares. In the second half of the 1980s that fight was carried on.

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1980-1986 Hanging On - Labor in the Reagan Era

IBEW members get the Emmy. CBS videotape supervisor Charlotte Robinson (left), here picking up her award in 1982, was one of over 60 Local 1212, New York, members to receive an Emmy that year for their work with CBS Sports.

1986 Congress passed the comprehensive Tax Reform Act of 1986, which drastically changed the tax brackets, deductions and corporate tax shelters. Moments after liftoff, the space shuttle Challenger exploded, killing six astronauts and a New Hampshire schoolteacher. The U.S. officially observed Martin Luther King Day. Labor leader, I.W. Abel, who helped found the United Steelworkers of America, died at age 79.