| October/November 2001 IBEW Journal
The EWMC also announced its new web
site at www.ibew-ewmc.com,
which is linked to ibew.org.
Use of the Web was hailed as a major vehicle of future expansion
of the caucus and its work in strategic planning, increasing
local union participation, mentoring and coalition building.
IBEW International Secretary-Treasurer Jerry OConnor asked
delegates to "add another assignment to your portfolio
as ambassadors of the IBEWpolitical education and mobilization."
His denunciation of last years discrimination against minorities
voting in Florida drew a rousing response.
Attendees made plenty of use of the floor microphones in
a lively discussion that offered ideas and new dimensions
in the EWMC work. Mentoring should not be limited to apprentices,
it was said, and EWMC outreach should include recruiting in
high schools and vocational schools.
Participants were also alerted to the attempt to pass right-to-work
in a September 25 special election in Oklahoma. Attention
was also called to the Charleston 5, the five members of the
Longshoremen in South Carolina who are still being held under
house arrest 20 months after 600 police officers charged their
picket line.
The success of non-union contractors in the Latino community
is spurred by the hiring of bilingual foremen, said Jose Cavazos
of Local 716, Houston, Texas, and IBEW locals were cautioned
not to cling to old attitudes about immigration.
Any hint that IBEW locals are treating everyone so well that
the work of the EWMC work is finished was squashed by Gus
Miller of Local 48, Portland, Oregon, who started work in
1938.
A 55-year veteran of IBEW, Miller traced what it was like
in the country and the union in the 1940s. His message was
seconded by EWMC President Sparks, who said her treatment
by IBEW was indeed excellent, "but we live in America,
where minorities do not have a level playing field. We need
the EWMC to keep our International in prime time."
[ Previous
]
|
Related Articles
