| Nomination
and Election of Officers
October/November 2001 IBEW Journal
As required by the convention rules, the next order of business
was the election of the International President, International
Secretary-Treasurer and Chairman of the International Executive
Council. In accordance with the Labor-Management Relations
Disclosure Act (LMRDA) of 1959, President Hill read the section
of that law governing secret-ballot union elections at conventions
and the U.S. Department of Labor interpretive bulletin on
adherence to a unions own constitution and bylaws. He indicated
there would be one five-minute nominating speech and no seconds.
Vice President Jon Walters of the Eighth District assumed
the chair for the elections. He introduced a video presentation
on how to use the electronic voting booths.
Vice President Walters opened the nominations for the office
of International President and recognized Mike Scott, business
manager of Local 712, Beaver, Pennsylvania, who placed President
Hills name in nomination.
Scott praised President Hills "quiet toughness"
and spoke of his accomplishments. "Eds achievements
are a matter of public record, but those of us from his home
local are privileged to know the man behind the public face,"
said Scott. "He has been tested by adversity and never
been found wanting. He is a good man who treats people with
respect."
With no other nominations for the office, the convention
cast a unanimous ballot for President Hill and gave him a
standing ovation.
President Hill thanked the cheering delegates and promised
to uphold the "awesome responsibility to lead the largest
union of electrical workers in the world. [ Text
& video of Keynote Address ]
"This is something that I never dreamed of from the
first day that I climbed into the ditch in Beaver, Pennsylvania,"
President Hill said. "And I pray to God each day of my
life that I will do the right thing when it comes to leading
those whose livelihood has been entrusted to me."
President Hill began his heartfelt acceptance remarks by
introducing his wife, Rosemary, "from whom I draw all
of my strength and my spiritual well-being," his daughters
Michele and Toni, his son Edwin Jr. and his four grandchildren.
Temporary Chairman Walters then declared nominations open
for the office of International Secretary-Treasurer and recognized
Barry Smith, business manager of Local 14, Eau Claire, Wisconsin,
who placed Secretary-Treasurer OConnors name in nomination.
"It is my honor to nominate for the office of International
Secretary-Treasurer one of the finest union brothers I have
ever known, Jeremiah J. OConnor," said Smith. He spoke
about OConnors long record of distinguished service to the
IBEW and told the delegates, "in Jerry OConnor you have
a leader a true son of Americas heartland. He is a man of
character, he is a man of integrity."
As there were no other nominations for the office, delegates
unanimously elected Secretary-Treasurer OConnor.
After receiving a standing ovation, Secretary-Treasurer OConnor
thanked the delegates and expressed his appreciation. "What
you will get is team work and hard work. Our enemies may occasionally
outmaneuver us, but they will never outfight us and they will
never outwork us." [ O'Connor
Speech ]
Secretary-Treasurer OConnor spoke of his initiation into
his home Local 701, Lisle, Illinois, in 1959. "Forty-two
years ago, I raised my hand and I swore to uphold union principles
and to do my best as a craftsman and union member," he
said. "Of all the circles I have traveled in, none has
the depth of talent found in the IBEW."
He vowed to work as a team member with President Hill. "We
will roll up our sleeves and fight those who have no regard
for working people. You will never get anything less than
my best effort."
Temporary Chair Walters next opened nominations for the office
of International Executive Council Chairman. Thomas Van Arsdale,
business manager of Local 3, New York City, nominated incumbent
Milton L. Foster; and William D. Miller, Jr., business manager
of Local 125, Portland, Oregon, nominated Robert H. Mason,
business manager of Local 111, Denver, Colorado.
Delegates were instructed to cast their votes for IEC chairman
using the secret ballot system. Vice President Walters appointed
Marvin Kropke, business manager of Local 11, Los Angeles,
as judge of elections; and William Lindsay, business manager
of Local 25, Long Island, New York, and Timm Driscoll, business
manager of Local 2150, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as tellers. The
morning session then recessed to reconvene in the afternoon.
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