SPECIAL: Ed Hill on growing the IBEW

Auditor's report

North of 49°
Nova Scotia Utility Threatens Outsourcing

Au nord du 49° parallèle
L'entreprise de services publics de la Nouvelle-Écosse menace d'utiliser la sous-traitance

International Executive Council meeting minutes

Ill. Tool Plant Triumph Aided by Calif. Organizers

In the chemistry of union organizing, sometimes elements bond together so tightly that campaigns are nearly indestructible.

In October, a unique, member-driven effort to overcome an arrogant, uncaring management triumphed as workers at Greenlee Textron Tools — many of them highly-skilled machinists — voted 44 to 22 for representation by Rockford, Ill., Local 364. Organizers were put to the test after an NLRB election — scheduled prior to the federal government shutdown — was delayed, giving the company more time to mount opposition.

The victory reversed three prior IBEW organizing losses at the plant. In a remarkable model of union solidarity, Vacaville, Calif., Local 1245 dispatched two organizers to Rockford, not once, but twice, to help seal the win.

"It was very rewarding to help steer a great group of workers at Greenlee in the right direction and win this campaign," says Local 364 organizer Charlie Laskonis, who conducted frequent hand-billing at the plant's gates and accompanied the California volunteers on visits to workers' homes.

The drive's components came together after IBEW received an e-mail from a 15-year machinist asking for help organizing his co-workers at the subsidiary of Textron, a multinational company that declared $113 million in income during the second quarter of 2013.

Hill: Open Discussion,
United Action
Chilia: Keepers of
the Faith

Juanita Luiz

Who We Are: New TV
Spot Showcases IBEW Members

Thanks, Gov. Walker;
A Worthy Investment;
Lessons in Life

November 2013

Linemen's Wives Group Brings Financial, Emotional Help to Families