December

  December Issue 

Now Hiring: New Life and New Jobs at Illinois Nuclear Plants

On Dec. 14 Exelon announced it had posted 400 new job openings at the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear stations. Just a week prior, those plants were facing early retirement.

IBEW Canada Wins Indigenous Inclusion Award

Nationwide efforts by the IBEW to deepen ties with aboriginal communities in Canada have earned recognition for taking initiative to improve outreach and advancing indigenous people in the workplace.

State Lawmakers across America are Coming After Your Union and Wages

New Republican governors in Missouri and New Hampshire and an incoming GOP House majority in Kentucky mean big changes are coming for the labor community in those states. And first on the agenda for all three is right-to-work.

Illinois High Court May Give Boost to Wind Energy, IBEW Members

The Illinois Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that might decide the fate of the Rock Island Clean Line , a 500-mile wind energy transmission line that could lead to thousands of jobs in Iowa and Illinois, many of them for IBEW members.

Labor Nominee Puzder: Champion of the Low-Pay, No Overtime Workforce. And Do We Really Need Actual Workers?

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Andrew Puzder, the chief executive officer of CKE -- owner of Carl’s Jr. and Hardees—to be the U.S. Secretary of Labor.

IBEW Membership Development Conference: ‘We’ll Organize Like Hell’

More than 1,500 organizers, leaders and activists gathered in Las Vegas in mid-November for the Membership Development conference, the largest annual gathering of IBEW members.

A Brighter Future for Illinois Residents and the Environment

With very little time to spare, the Illinois Legislature passed a bill to save two nuclear plants, and in the process helped to secure Illinois’ environmental future and energy stability.

Father-Son Wireman Duo Put Glow in Indianapolis Tradition

Sam Hunter remembers being five or six years old when his father first brought him and younger brother Greg along to help with Indianapolis’ Circle of Lights. Even at that young age, he sensed this was something very special for Dad.

The Silver Lining to the Gender Pay Gap: Unions

No matter how you measure it, there is a gender pay gap, and it’s not going away any time soon.

First New U.S. Nuclear Reactor in 20 Years Online at TVA

Unit 2 at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Watts Bar Nuclear Plant became the United States’ first new reactor to reach commercial operation in two decades this fall.

Ontario Legislation Could ‘Make My Apprenticeship Useless’

Toronto Local 353 Business Manager Steven Martin isn’t just dismayed the Legislative Assembly of Ontario may pass a measure that could compromise public safety and harm the livelihood of trade unionists.

IBEW Members Dominate ‘Elite Tradesman’ Competition

Members from IBEW locals across the country participated in the first-ever IDEAL National Championship for electrical workers in November. And they won in almost every category.

Win-Win Organizing Victory, 10 Years in the Making

There is an old saying among organizers that you can only organize a business that needs to be organized. Something, in other words, has to be going wrong.

November

  November Issue 

IBEW Wins Communications Awards

Writers and video producers from the IBEW Media Department won 18 International Labor Communications Awards including the Steinbock Award, the single highest honor for journalistic excellence.

Volunteer Work Earns California Lineman National Honor

Jeff Gomes routinely watched his father help others while accepting nothing in return. One memory in particular convinced him he wanted to be just like dad.

Annual RENEW Event Honors the Fallen

Young members at Omaha, Neb., Local 22 saw an opportunity to help grieving families last summer and seized on it, starting an annual tradition they hope will continue to help others in their region.

Post-Election Message from IBEW International President Lonnie R. Stephenson

“Donald Trump has been elected the 45th president of the United States, and I offer my congratulations to the president-elect.

The Future of Right-to-Work in Montana Could be Decided on Nov. 8

When Montana voters cast their ballots on Tuesday, they may also determine the fate of the state’s labor climate.

Unions Work to Close South Dakota’s ‘Slacker Loophole’

South Dakota has been a right-to-work state since 1946, when it was made part of the state constitution. That isn’t changing anytime soon. But the IBEW and other groups there are working to pass a measure that would require people benefiting from a union’s services to pay for their fair share.

Battleground N.C.: Cooper, Ross Fighting For Working Families

Recent polls show North Carolina among the swingiest of swing states in the 2016 presidential race, but for locals, it’s the state’s marquee matchups for governor and U.S. senator that are driving conversations leading up to November.

The Uncertain Fate of Illinois’ Most Reliable Energy Source

Illinois relies on nuclear energy more than any other source. And it’s about to lose two of its plants.

Fact Check: Busting an Old IBEW Pension Myth

Pension and Reciprocity Department Director Bruce Burton heard of a misleading rumor making the rounds this summer that brought back memories. But this time he was in a position to do something about it.

October

Wisconsin Senate Race Reunites Former Rivals

Badger State voters are getting a re-do on their U.S. Senate race in November, and it could be a big win for working families nationwide.

How the Code of Excellence Increased Membership – and Profit Margins

It’s not every day that two locals from two different states help secure a new business contract for their employers – and one that leads to increased membership – but that’s what happened for Chelsea, Mass., Local 1499 and Milwaukee, Wis., Local 2150. And it’s in part because of the Code of Excellence.

Vermont Member Wins ‘Rising Star’ Award

Montpelier, Vt., Local 300 member Danielle Bombardier has a new title to add to her growing collection: outstanding young leader.

‘She's Not Going in to Hospice’: Child’s Medical Miracle Fueled by IBEW Generosity

Long before Emily Whitehead became an international figure in the fight against leukemia, her mother and father assured her they would be by her side every day.

Election is Reason for Hope in Conservative Indiana

Few states enacted more legislation in recent years that harmed working families than Indiana. Voters there have a chance to push back against that on Election Day.

Milwaukee Local Celebrates 110 Years With a New Museum

In September, IBEW members traveled to St. Louis to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Brotherhood and visit the new Henry Miller Museum. But that’s not the only anniversary – or new museum – commemorating the IBEW this year. Milwaukee Local 494 is also honoring its past with a celebration of its 110th anniversary.

Indiana Members on Trump VP Pick: ‘He’s Horrible’

The vice presidential debate is tonight. When Indiana Gov. Mike Pence was selected as Donald Trump’s running mate in July, IBEW leaders in the Hoosier State discussed Pence’s failure to support working families there, where he has served as governor since 2013. Here is what they said:

September

  September Issue 

IBEW Organizes Memphis, Tenn., Manufacturing Plant

The IBEW welcomed hundreds of members into the Brotherhood Sept. 27 when the workers at Electrolux’s Memphis, Tenn., plant voted by more than 2 to 1 to form a union.

President Stephenson Closes 39th International Convention ‘I am a member of the greatest union in the world. I am IBEW.’

The 39th International Convention was gaveled to a close by International President Lonnie R. Stephenson on Friday, Sept. 23.

‘We Can’t Leave You in the Dark’: Clinton Backs Key Coal Credits, Miners

Hillary Clinton spoke out in support of miners and the future of coal on Sept. 8 just hours before thousands of members of the United Mine Workers’ and other unions gathered on the U.S. Capitol grounds to demand action to save retiree healthcare and pensions.

This Race Could be the One to Give Democrats a Senate Majority

Illinois voters in this year’s Senate race are choosing between incumbent Mark Kirk and Rep. Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from the 8th district. And it could be the race to give Democrats the majority.

‘Employee Freedom Week’ Targeting Union Membership with Misleading Campaign

Anti-union extremists are working to destroy the labor movement, one member at a time.

In St. Louis, More History than You Can Shake a (Hot) Stick At

History will be all around this month in St. Louis, the city that founded the IBEW. Aside from the house where it happened, delegates and visitors to the convention hall will be able to step inside the IBEW museum, transplanted from its home at the Washington, D.C., International Office.

Nevada Voters Will Choose Successor to Harry Reid, Top Senate Democrat

When Nevadans cast their ballots on Nov. 8, they will choose the successor to Sen. Harry Reid, the highest ranking Democrat in the U.S. Senate. Reid has thrown his support behind former attorney general Catherine Cortez Masto, who is running against Rep. Joe Heck.

New Report: Union Advantage Benefits Everyone

Unions don’t just benefit their members. They benefit everyone. And when union membership is low, it hurts all working people. Just in time for Labor Day, the Economic Policy Institute released a study that shows how it’s better for everyone when unions are strong.

No Hope and Facing a Lockout. Then Came a Call from Clinton

On a Friday evening in late September 2004, Dave Falletta says he was looking into the void.

Hillary Clinton to Attend Labor Day Event Honoring IBEW President

Hillary Clinton is set to headline a Northwest Illinois Labor Day picnic on Sept. 5 honoring International President Lonnie R. Stephenson and United Auto Workers President Dennis Williams, both of whom started their careers in the Quad Cities area.

Hundreds of IBEW Volunteers to Give Back with ‘Day of Service’

This month, when IBEW delegates and guests arrive in St. Louis for the 39th International Convention, they’ll find a new event on their agendas.

IBEW’s History Given Modern Look on 125th Anniversary

Just in time for its 125th anniversary, the IBEW is issuing an update of the book that commemorated its 100th anniversary.

August

  August Issue 

IBEW’s History Given Modern Look on 125th Anniversary

Just in time for its 125th anniversary, the IBEW is issuing an update of the book that commemorated its 100th anniversary.

Does it Pay to Work Union? Yes. And Here’s Proof.

A new study says union construction members in Minnesota get $5.59 back in income for every $1 they pay in union dues.

This NLRB Decision Makes It Easier for Temps to Organize

A ruling by the National Labor Relations Board has reset the standard for how temporary employees can organize.

In Win for Jobs, Environment, N.Y. Rescues Nuclear Plants

Last year, New York’s James A. FitzPatrick nuclear plant was slated to close. Now, it’s hiring, and it’s thanks to IBEW members and their work with partners from the municipal level to the governor’s office.    

W.Va. Judge Halts Enforcement of State’s Right-to-Work Law

Plenty of obstacles remain, but the IBEW’s and other unions’ lawsuit against West Virginia officials over their newly-passed right-to-work law is off to a good start.

In St. Louis, A Monument Comes to Life

On Sept. 15, the Henry Miller Museum in St. Louis opens its doors for the first time, welcoming IBEW brothers and sisters from across the U.S. and Canada.

Upstart Kander Looks to Shake Up Establishment in Missouri Senate Election

The Missouri Senate race features a Republican incumbent who heads a political dynasty in a state that has grown more conservative in recent years. This didn’t look like a competitive contest a few months ago.

Promoting Safety and Transparency in the Workplace

Every Canadian should know how safe their workplace is. Now there’s a bill to help them do it.

At Las Vegas IBEW Hall, Clinton Commits to Jobs, Apprenticeships

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton returned to a familiar venue and delivered a strong message in support of the IBEW and working families on Aug. 4.

Working Families Looking for Kirkpatrick to Spring Arizona Surprise

John McCain said several months ago the 2016 campaign would be the fight of his political life because Donald Trump likely would be at the top of the Republican ticket.

This Vermont Local is the First in the State to Install Tesla’s Home Battery

Tesla doesn’t just make electric cars. It also makes batteries, the kind you can use to power your home. And if you live in Vermont, you’ll need a member of Montpelier, Vt., Local 300 to install it for you.

‘Unescorted Access’ Changes Threaten to Leave Nuclear Workers at Risk

Nuclear plant owners want the ability to strip workers of their security clearance without arbitration, but IBEW leaders are working hard to stop the effort before it becomes law.

Clinton, Democrats Make the Case for Working Families

The Democratic National Convention focused heavily on working families from its first night, when six prominent labor leaders addressed the crowd, to its last.

What’s Clean, Green and Reliable? Nuclear Energy, and it’s Getting a Makeover.

When most people think of clean energy they probably think of wind and solar. What doesn’t come to mind is the source that supplies the United States with 63 percent of its clean energy . What they aren’t thinking about is nuclear.

July

  July Issue

‘Keep Fighting’ IBEW Sanders Campaign Aide Urges Delegates

In May, Paul Feeney was one of nearly 40,000 Verizon workers walking picket lines every day, fighting for fair treatment alongside his brothers and sisters at IBEW and the Communications Workers of America.

What’s at Stake in Missouri Governor’s Race? Everything

No statewide political contest this November has clearer stakes for working families than the Missouri governor’s race.

Eighth District RENEW Begins Preparing for Election Season

Young workers can play an important role in the political process, and Assistant Business Manager Nate Gutierrez of Denver Local 111 wants to make sure they know that. With the election coming up, he is using his local’s RENEW chapter as a gateway to get them involved.

VP Nominee Tim Kaine:
A Longtime Friend to Virginia’s Working Families

When Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine accepts the vice presidential nomination of the Democratic Party on July 27 in Philadelphia, IBEW leaders say working families can rest assured they’ll have a friend in the former mayor and governor.

West Virginia Members Aid Victims of Catastrophic Flood

The floods that tore through parts of West Virginia in June were some of the worst the state has ever seen. Called “historic,” “among the worst in a century,” and a “one in a thousand-year event,” residents of the southern and central parts of the state saw their homes destroyed and, in some cases, literally floating away. As soon as they could, members of Charleston, W.Va., Local 466 were there to help.

Working Families Feature at Democratic Convention

In Philadelphia, labor unions and working people are front and center at the Democratic National Convention.

Friedrichs is Dead, But More Anti-Union Attacks Are Coming 

Three months after the U.S. Supreme Court deadlocked on the controversial anti-union case, Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, the court’s eight remaining justices declined on June 28 to rehear the case next term.

Delaware Local Seeks Kidney  

Build Union. Buy American. Save a Life. That’s the message on display each day to six lanes of traffic outside Wilmington, Del., Local 313’s union hall, where the local is using the high-visibility marquee to help an IBEW brother find a desperately-needed kidney donor.

GOP Convention: ‘Jobs Night’ Forgets Focus on Jobs  

Night two of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland was supposed to shift the focus to America’s economy.

Indiana Members on Trump VP Pick: ‘Horrible’ 

IBEW members in Indiana are pleased they won’t have Gov. Mike Pence around much longer, but they added that Donald Trump choosing Pence as his running mate shows just how little the Republican presidential nominee appreciates challenges faced by working families.

New Contract for Thousands of Newly Organized AT&T Workers

The IBEW and AT&T have agreed to a first contract for over 3,000 telecommunications workers in 14 states across the country.

IBEW Ally Aims for N.H. Senate Seat

The IBEW has few friends more reliable than New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan. That’s according to Joe Casey, who has worked closely with her for more than a decade protecting working men and women in the Granite State.

Same Old, Same Old: GOP Convention Strikes Anti-Union Themes

From the featured speakers Trump has invited to share his podium to the party’s platform, the GOP remains as unfriendly to working Americans and the labor movement as it has ever been.

Pokemon Go? There are Places Where It's Pokemon, No

Pokémon Go has spread across the country like an augmented reality forest fire and -- like a forest fire-- some people are getting burned.

IBEW Members’ Children Awarded Union Plus Scholarships

Six children of IBEW members were awarded scholarships totaling $8,500 as part of this year’s Union Plus scholarship program, led by a $3,500 scholarship awarded to Mikaela Smith, whose father, John Smith, is a member of Burnsville, Minn., Local 949.

Water, Rest, Shade: OSHA Warns Workers About Heat-Related Hazards

“Heat can kill,” warned the head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, David Michaels, as he kicked off the agency’s summer campaign raising awareness of heat-related illnesses. “Dozens of workers die from heat exposure every year. Every heat-related death we investigate was preventable.”

Las Vegas Local Aims for ‘Gold Standard’ Partnership with Utility

Jesse Newman believes in the Code of Excellence and that it’s a win-win situation for both IBEW members and employers.

Does Trump Build Union? ...An IBEW Investigation

At the height of the real estate boom in 2005, Donald Trump announced a colossus would rise in central New Orleans. The 70-story Trump Tower would be the tallest building on the Gulf Coast outside of Houston and the highest point in the state of Louisiana.

NACTEL Offers New Opportunities In Technology and Leadership

IBEW members have always been among the most well-trained, dedicated people on the job. The National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning is working to make sure that remains a reality.

Lineman Appreciation Day is July 10

July 10 is Lineman Appreciation Day, commemorating the contributions of the men and women who bring electricity to the U.S. economy and honoring the legacy of Henry Miller, one of the founders of the IBEW on the anniversary of his death.

Trailblazer Still Opening Doors for Others

Now, today, it seems like a good story. But in the late 1970s, it was a reminder that nothing would be easy for Jeri Porter, a first-year apprentice in training and the only woman in her class.

New York State Locals Win a New Signatory Contractor After 10 Year Effort

Good salary. Nice benefits. A decent boss. What more can you ask for in a job?

June

  June Issue

Boston Local Hosts First-Ever Trade Conference for Girls

Over 400 girls converged on Boston Local 103’s headquarters recently for a first-of-its-kind opportunity to learn about the building trades, and how to get a job in one.

Construction Linemen: Clearing a Path to Membership

The hard parts of organizing new members should all happen before they walk through the doors of the local hall. Once a nonunion worker makes up his or her mind to sign up, ideally the hard part should be over.

B.C. Local Wins Contract on Province’s Largest Hydro Dam Project

The Site C dam is one of the biggest energy infrastructure projects in Canada. When it’s completed, it will be able to generate about 5,100 gigawatt hours of electricity each year and power more than 400,000 homes. And Kamloops, B.C., Local 993 is set to begin work on it.

The 2016 Democratic Convention: Union Built

When the Democratic National Convention convenes in Philadelphia on July 25, union labor will be front and center.

Nuclear Power On Path to Extinction in California

California’s last nuclear plant will close in 2025, taking with it 600 IBEW jobs and robbing the state of its only source of zero-emission baseload power.

Modesto Local Hears Call, Raises Flagpole Over Community Center

George Russell spent more than two years asking city officials in Modesto, Calif., to install a new flagpole in front of a city-owned community center. All he got in return was frustration.

Yes, the Bureaucracy Matters to You. Here’s Why.

Elections matter. That's the lesson from a string of labor-friendly decisions in the courts and at the National Labor Relations Board, and the timing, five months before an election, couldn’t be more important.

Michigan Retirees Step Up to Miller Museum Challenge

In June’s Electrical Worker, we checked in on progress at the Henry Miller Museum in St. Louis, the former boardinghouse where Henry Miller and nine other delegates founded the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1891.

Dollars Doing Double Duty in Tennessee

On a hillside overlooking the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, IBEW electricians are hard at work. But in the region dominated by large-scale industrial and utility work for the TVA, this time they’re building something a little different.

Clinton ‘Honored’ to Receive IBEW Endorsement

Moments after the IBEW endorsed presumptive-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State issued a statement thanking the Brotherhood saying she was “honored to have earned the endorsement.”

In Chicago, A Commitment to Diversity

The city of Chicago is taking steps to diversify the ranks of the building trades and Chicago Local 134 has joined the fold. Through an effort with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Building Trades, Dunbar High School will be home to a comprehensive, citywide construction trades program.

In Iowa, IBEW Helps Light Churches, Steeples

Crossing the Great River Bridge from Illinois into southeast Iowa is spectacular in the daylight hours -- the bridge’s soaring tower and suspension cables dominate the sky while the Mississippi River sparkles nearly a half mile wide below.

IBEW Sisters Attend U.N. Women’s Global Leadership Program

Talking about women’s issues from a global perspective is a tall, sprawling order. To do it in a meaningful way isn’t easy. But for the IBEW sisters who attended the Women’s Global Leadership Program in March, they left inspired and enlightened.

A Bright Future for Manufacturing Workers in Indiana

It’s a familiar story across America, especially in the Midwest: a factory closes, announces it’s moving operations to Mexico or overseas. Public officials lament the loss of jobs, families suffer – you know the miserable, all-too-common rest.

Government’s Own TPP Report: Meager Growth and Bigger Trade Deficit

The non-partisan U.S. International Trade Commission issued a report predicting the Trans-Pacific Partnership would lead to barely noticeable gains in the U.S. economy.

May

  May Issue

SIMULATING REALITY: Apprentice Training Moves into Virtual Realm, Takes Notice of TV Show

It was a cold, rainy May morning outside the Washington, D.C., Local 26 training center in Lanham, Maryland. But inside, Romuel Buenio put on a pair of goggles and was transported to a jobsite littered with hazards, problems and potentially deadly electrical issues.

A Win for Working Families: Paycheck Deception Law Goes Down in Missouri

When the votes were tallied, the IBEW and other advocates for working families in Missouri beat back an attempt to pass a paycheck deception law in the state.

This New Rule Shines a Light on Employer Union-Busting Activity

When an employee decides whether to vote for union representation, a lot of things can factor in, not least among them information from their employer. What employees may not know though, is how much of that information comes from an outside consultant – or how much those consultants were paid.

Alberta Wildfire Triggers Historic Evacuation

On May 3, raging wildfires blazed through northeastern Alberta, causing the largest fire-related evacuation in the province’s history of 80,000 people from the town of Fort McMurray, including IBEW members from Edmonton Local 424.

‘Cautious Optimism’ on Pepco-Exelon Merger

When Washington, D.C., regulators approved the $7 billion merger between Pepco Holdings and Exelon on March 23, they laid in place the final step to create the largest publicly held utility in the country.

IBEW, Other Unions Mount Right-to-Work Challenge in W.Va.

Six IBEW locals with jurisdiction in West Virginia will be among the plaintiffs in a suit challenging the constitutionality of the right-to-work law passed by the state’s Republican-controlled General Assembly earlier this year over Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s veto.

How Safe is Your Workplace? You’re About to Find Out.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced sweeping new public disclosure requirements for workplace injuries and illnesses on May 11, ushering in a new era of transparency and accountability for employers who were previously able to hide safety records from employees, investors and the general public.

Tennessee Local Braves ‘Snowzilla,’ Earns Praise From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Spring is in the air now, but it wasn’t that long ago that “Snowzilla” dumped double-digit levels of snow across the eastern United States. For many, the January snowstorm meant a snow day with warm drinks and snowball fights. Not so for employees of the Nashville, Tenn., District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Georgia Moves to Protect Utility Workers on Roadways

It should be second nature to drivers across the U.S. and Canada: if you see flashing lights on the side of the road, slow down, move over and give emergency personnel a wide berth to safely do their jobs. In all 50 states and in every Canadian province, it’s also the law.

The Code We Live By: New Jersey Local Embraces the Code of Excellence

Based on the simple principles of eight hours’ work for eight hours’ pay, professionalism and respect, the Code of Excellence was envisioned as a way to distinguish the quality of highly-trained IBEW electricians from the work of their nonunion counterparts.

U.S.-Korea Trade Data Fuels TPP Opposition

The U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement has hurt American workers, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership will almost certainly do the same.

Funding the Future: British Columbia Awards $750,000 to IBEW

It’s not every day that a local union gets three-quarters of a million dollars, but that’s what happened to Vancouver, British Columbia, Local 213. On April 11, the B.C. government announced $750,000 for two partnerships that will enhance mentorship for women and apprentices in the skilled trades.

April

  April Issue

First Energy Bill Since 2007 Clears Senate Hurdle

The U.S. Senate on April 20 passed its first comprehensive, bipartisan energy bill in nearly a decade, answering the calls of IBEW leaders who have been urging congressional action on energy policy for years.

On Workers Memorial Day, Honoring the Dead, Fighting for the Living

When Henry Miller started organizing electrical workers more than 125 years ago, he did so because of the egregiously poor working conditions. Workplace safety was practically nonexistent and the mortality rate was shamefully high.

Millennials. They Like Unions but They’re Not Members. Here’s Why That Needs to Change.

The American dream tells the story of our children doing better than us. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for millennials. Despite usual markers of success – higher education and an era of high productivity – today’s young working people are not doing better than their older cohorts. A new report from the Center for American Progress looks at this phenomenon and has prescribed unions as one of the solutions.

Verizon ‘Invitation’ to Cross Picket Lines Gets Fiery Reception

Verizon sent a letter April 15 to all of its striking workers with instructions on how to scab.

Making History: IBEW Builds First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm

Three miles off the coast of Block Island – and 16 miles off the Rhode Island mainland -- will stand the first offshore wind farm in U.S. waters, another sign that wind energy is making inroads in North America.

Making an Icon: The Stories of the Men Who Built the Golden Gate Bridge

“One day I heard they were going to start the Golden Gate Bridge, and I says well, I’ll try it. I never been up 746 feet but I’ll try it anyhow.”

Debilitating and Deadly. Is This Material in Your Workplace?

Silica has been around since the dawn of civilization and its dangers have been known since at least the days of the New Deal. In fact, President Roosevelt’s labor secretary called it a deadly hazard. Now, four decades after the first regulation, there is a new rule to protect working men and women from its debilitating effects.

Battle Lines Harden as Verizon Strike Continues

Tens of thousands of union members walked picket lines from New England to Virginia as the first week of the strike on Verizon came to a close.

Saving for Retirement? This New Rule Aims to Protect You From Your Advisor

A person could be forgiven for thinking that when she sits down with someone to get help with her 401(k) that the person doing the helping is actually, well, helping. Unfortunately that isn’t always the case. But now, thanks to a new rule from the Department of Labor, working people can rest a little easier.

40,000 Verizon Employees Strike on East Coast

Nearly 40,000 men and women employed by Verizon will go on strike April 13 at 6 a.m. barring a last-minute agreement between the company and members of the IBEW and the Communications Workers of America.

Generosity Fuels Safety in Philadelphia

It was a simple set-up. Find a good “catch” that improves worker safety and everyone on your crew gets a $25 gift card.

Another Way This Tulsa Local is Helping First-Year Apprentices

While graduates of the IBEW apprenticeship programs are all but guaranteed a good-paying job, the first year can be tough in terms of up-front costs. With books, tools and other supplies, an apprentice in his first year can expect to pay between $1,000 and $1,200 out of pocket. So when Ted Jenkins, training director for the Tulsa, Okla., JATC, learned about a program through the Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act that provides financial assistance, he applied.

All in a Day’s Work: IBEW Members Rescue D.C. Region from Metro Nightmare

Washington, D.C.’s public transportation woes made international news on Mar. 16 after the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority arrived at the unprecedented decision to shutter the region’s underground Metro system for an entire day in the middle of a busy work week.

DirecTV Workers Gain a Voice with the IBEW

When AT&T closed a deal to buy DirecTV last July, employees of the satellite provider sat up and took notice

IBEW Member is First Woman Elected President of State Building Trades

The Florida Building and Construction Trades Council elected its first woman president – and she is an IBEW journeyman wireman.

Building Bipartisanship: Congressional Representatives Reach Across the Aisle to Boost the Trades

At a time when bipartisanship can seem as ancient and lost as a relic from centuries past, two representatives – one a Democrat and one a Republican – are joining together for a common cause. And one of them is an IBEW member.

March

  March Issue

‘Second to None’: IBEW ‘Innovations’ on TV’s Discovery Channel

The IBEW’s leading training partner will be recognized for its good work on a national stage.

Ed Hill, ‘Giant’ of the Utility Industry, Honored

International President Emeritus Edwin D. Hill was honored for a lifetime of service to the utility industry by the landmark labor-management organization he helped create.

Anti-Union Court Challenge Dead: Fight Turns to Obama Nominee

As expected, the Supreme Court on March 29 announced it was unable to render an opinion in the controversial anti-union case Friedrichs v. California Teachers’ Association, a result that will draw sighs of relief from unions with public sector members across the United States.

Senators Push Verizon to Negotiate Fairly

Nearly 40,000 IBEW and Communications Workers of America members employed by Verizon gained a powerful set of allies on Mar. 18 when 20 U.S. senators sent a letter to the company’s CEO urging him to put an end to the bargaining roadblock that has dragged on for nearly a year.

The War Against Working Families: Battleground Missouri

The IBEW and other unions have fought back against the Missouri Legislature’s anti-working family agenda for years. They’re in the midst of another battle.

Closing Down Climate Change Solutions:
Nuclear Power Plants on the Chopping Block in New York

More and more, nuclear energy is recognized as part of a clean power portfolio. Surprisingly, the country’s third most populous state, New York, is diminishing its options in this regard.

NJ Transit ‘Win, Win, Win’ Deal Averts Strike

Only hours before a strike that would have stranded tens of thousands of commuters, union workers and New Jersey Transit came to terms.

First Year Apprentice Shares Her Story at Center for American Progress

Cary James’ story mirrors that of many young people. She did the things that are supposed to ensure someone a good job. She did well in school and went to college. But when James graduated, there weren’t any jobs in her field. It wasn’t until later that she discovered the building trades and their apprenticeship opportunities.

Louisiana Local Prepares for Construction Boom

The drop in oil prices has had a devastating impact on several states, including Louisiana. But a construction boom is imminent around Lake Charles and Local 861 Business Manager Jeff Sanders is optimistic it will lead to some big opportunities for workers, too.

Working Families Win in Bluegrass Special Election

Union members in Kentucky scored a big victory when Democrats won three of the four state House seats contested in a special election on Tuesday, thwarting an attempt by Republican Gov. Matt Bevin and others to push a right-to-work law through the state Legislature.

March 14 Strike Looms for New Jersey Transit

Hundreds of thousands of New Jersey Transit riders are less than a week away from a preventable commuting nightmare.

IBEW Joins Siemens Dialogue, Looks to Neutrality

When unions and management work together to level the playing field in today’s global market, workers win.

Excellence is in Spotlight at New York Manufacturing Plant

Christian Serrano has done his job well for nearly two decades at an Eaton Cooper Lighting plant in Hicksville, N.Y. Now, a distinctive black-and-white label tells customers that he and his co-workers are working at an elite level.

IBEW Calls on Congress to Pass Amtrak Budget

Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman presented a $1.8 billion budget request to Congress Feb. 12 with increases for tracks, bridges, engines and passenger cars.

Kentucky in the Balance: Right-to-Work Hinges on Special Election

Working families are under attack with a surge in right-to-work laws in recent years in states like Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. West Virginia became the 26th right-to-work state in February.

Third District RENEW Sets Sights on November Elections

Young members in the Third District are gearing up for November’s election and managing to inject some friendly rivalry into the process.

February

  February Issue

Settlement Delivers Smackdown to ADT’s Anti-Worker Tactics in South Carolina

Installation technicians at an ADT shop in Columbia, S.C., won a hard-fought victory in January when the home security company settled a handful of unfair labor practice charges, paying tens of thousands in back pay and restoring work that had been taken away last year.

The IBEW’s Innovative Solution to Flint’s Water Crisis

Beyoncé is helping out. So are Cher and one of the Detroit Lions, not to mention the Plumbers, Auto Workers and Laborers, to name a few. If there is a silver lining to the water crisis in Flint, Mich., it’s the outpouring of assistance from the public and in no small part labor unions, including IBEW locals.

TPP, Signed, Faces Hurdles in the Capitol

On most issues, Washington often feels hopelessly gridlocked, but believe it or not, politicians from opposite ends of the political spectrum have found some rare common ground: opposition to President Obama’s Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

Prime Minister’s Visit Highlights Alberta’s Plight

Edmonton, Alberta, Local 424 Business Manager Kevin Levy was honored to host Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this month. He now wants to ensure the visit pays off for his membership, which is feeling the effects of the economic downturn in western Canada.

Virginia Lawmakers Seek to Enshrine Right-to-Work in State Constitution

Virginia was one of the first states to enact a right-to-work law, doing so in 1947 soon after the federal passage of the Taft-Hartley Act. It hasn’t been seriously challenged since.

NACTEL: Teaching for the Future

Keeping up with the constantly changing telecommunications industry can easily be a full-time job. Luckily, IBEW members have the National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning to help, and to offer up-to-date training.

Disarray on the High Court: What it Means for Working Families

The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Feb. 13 could have far-reaching consequences on several pending cases important to working people.

At Long Last, Recognition for IBEW Hero

For Irvin “Butch” Johnson, recognition for a job well done was never the point.

New York Local 3 Member Writes a Hit for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra

It isn’t often that a band loves a song so much that it releases two versions on the same record. 

IBEW Member Scores Free Trip to Bassmaster Tournament

Washington, D.C., Local 26 member Mark Duncan couldn’t believe it when he got the call from the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance telling him he’d won a trip to attend the 2016 Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ohio Local Funds Legacy of Education

The IBEW and its training partners have developed some of the most highly-regarded apprenticeship programs in the building trades throughout the years. Leaders at Youngstown, Ohio, Local 64 are hoping for similar success as they invest in higher education.

2016 Founders’ Scholarship Winners: Leading the Way for the Brotherhood

The historic labor leader Samuel Gompers once said that labor wants “more books and less arsenals; more learning and less vice” and “more of the opportunities to cultivate our better natures.” This sentiment can be seen today with the IBEW Founders’ Scholarship.

New York City Local Lights up The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

“Right now it’s a pile of dust, but it’s going to be beautiful.”

IBEW Photo Contest Winners

IBEW photo contest winner Chris Plesnarski put himself in perfect position to capture the Manhattan skyline across the Meadowlands and turned his back on it.

IBEW Leader to Serve on Mont. Carbon Emissions Council

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock is trying to get out ahead of the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule regarding power plant emissions and he is looking to IBEW for help.

IBEW Vice President Tapped for Indy Leadership Post

David J. Ruhmkorff has had a big year filled with new responsibilities – most notably, his appointment as Sixth District Vice President last June when Lonnie R. Stephenson was named IBEW president.

Local 1 Lights Up School With a New Scoreboard

Tim Green was watching the news on a St. Louis television station last spring when he saw a story about an area high school trying to replace the aging scoreboard at its football and track stadium.

January

  January Issue

Preserving the Dream: IBEW Birthplace Surpasses $1 Million Milestone

The modest boardinghouse where Henry Miller and nine other delegates founded the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1891 is a humming construction site today. But the property just west of downtown St. Louis—on the verge of collapse only months ago—is well on its way to becoming a monument to the IBEW’s founders before the Brotherhood’s 39th International Convention this September.

‘We Still Want to Be Involved’
Retirees Share Skills, Build Community

When Bill Hagene retired five years ago, he didn’t want to completely stop working. So when his local approached him about doing some volunteer work, he was all in.

Partnering for Stronger Communities, Coalition Seeks Union Jobs with Public Transit Projects

Marvin Kropke emphasizes that fighting back against difficult manufacturing trends isn’t easy, especially when it comes to keeping jobs in the United States.

IBEW Fighting Right-to-Work in Mountaineer State

The opening day of the West Virginia legislative session usually is reserved for ceremony and the governor’s state of the state address. But this year, Republicans – who are the majority party in both the House of Delegates and Senate -- used it to introduce a right-to-work bill.

Anti-Union Bill Aims to Kill Government PLAs

Anti-union legislation seeking to limit the use of project labor agreements met determined resistance in January when the IBEW joined forces with signatory contractors and other unions to oppose it in Congress.

Canadian Government Delays Anti-Labor Bill’s Effects

Working people in Canada received a welcome holiday gift on Dec. 21 courtesy of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s newly-formed Liberal government.

IBEW-run Studio is Perfect Fit for Self-Described Conservative

Missouri businessman and political activist Scott Faughn doesn’t try to mask his political leanings.

IBEW’s President Stephenson to Attend State of the Union

International President Lonnie R. Stephenson has known Barack Obama since he was a little-known member of the Illinois State Senate and worked with him on issues to improve the lives of working families.

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Union Case

The conservative wing of the Supreme Court appeared receptive toward the arguments of anti-union plaintiffs on Jan. 11 during oral arguments in the case Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association.

Quick Thinking, IBEW Training Help Members Assist Ailing Boy

Joshua Crites said he was thinking about his own family when he administered first aid to a 3-year-old boy suffering a seizure last summer.

It’s Time to Vote for Photo Contest Winners

The pictures have all been taken, sent in and winnowed down to the select few. Now it is your turn.

Ore. Governor Appoints Portland Business Manager to Port Commission

The Port of Portland brings in over $260 million a year and employs close to 750 people, one-third of them union members. And Portland, Ore., Local 48 Business Manager Gary Young has been tapped to serve on its commission.

Los Angeles Member Takes His Trade With His Faith Across the Globe

Exotic beaches and cruises aren’t what takes Devin Winiecke to distant countries year after year. It’s a commitment to helping people with his skills as an electrician and member of Los Angeles Local 2295.

IBEW Women Join CLUW to Tackle the War on Women

They didn’t come to swap recipes when they first convened in 1974 and they didn’t do it this time either. Unless it was a recipe to stop the war on women.