Film Brings Labor History
to Life

The Electric Truck is Here
IBEW Members Will Deliver Future of Truck Industry

Combating Right-to-Work
Oklahoma Organizers' Success in the Face
of RTW

A Sight on Rails
Special BNSF Locomotive Visits Nebraska Members

North of 49°
Ontario Local Winterizes Scouts Canada Campsite

Au nord du 49° parallèle
La section locale en Ontario aménage le camp des Scouts du Canada pour l'hiver

David Cardy

PBF Summary Annual Report

NEAP Benefit Notice

NEAP Summary
Annual Report

Chicago Local Teaches
Area Firefighters
How to Stay Safe with Solar

It's among a firefighter's worst-case scenarios: An overnight call to a scene where the surroundings are dark and unfamiliar and every step poses life-threatening danger, not from flames or degraded structure — they're used to that — but from live wires, trip hazards and physical impediments to the most basic of firefighting strategies.

This safety worry has played out night after night across the world as the use of commercial and residential solar power has grown over the last few decades. As builders and customers have turned to low-cost, low-environmental-impact photovoltaic and battery technology, firefighters have had to wrestle with the added dangers presented by rooftop panels.

It's why lawmakers and building-code regulators have increasingly turned to updating rules for solar installations and fire departments have sought out additional training for crews responding to fires where solar is part of the safety equation. And who better to help lead that training than the men and women who often install the panels themselves?

At Chicago Local 134, whose jurisdiction covers all of Chicago and 133 other incorporated municipalities in Illinois' Cook County, the opportunity to help neighboring fire departments navigate the potential dangers of solar power was one that local leaders couldn't pass up. It started when representatives from the Alsip Fire Department, located near the local's training center, reached out for help.

"They called us because they were starting to see more and more solar get installed within the last few years, and they knew we could help educate them," said Local 134 business representative Robert Hattier, who worked to build a training curriculum around solar safety. "It made me realize, we're always thinking of the electrical inspectors who work with permitting authorities to prevent problems, but what about the first responders' safety?"

Already, Hattier has trained hundreds of firefighters at dozens of station houses throughout Illinois about the well-known and lesser-known dangers of solar power generation. He combines classroom-based lectures and discussions with hands-on experience when possible, giving first responders a chance to see and safely touch what they might be up against in an actual firefighting situation.

Stephenson & Cooper:
Looking to 2021

Gary V. Buresh

Rail Talks Continue Amid COVID-19 Concerns;
New Attacks on Federal Workers Part of Administration's
Anti‑Worker Agenda

In Federal Vacuum,
Pro-Worker States Act To Protect Workplaces from COVID-19's Spread

Upstate NY Program Provides a Career in the Trades to Underserved Communities of Color;
'Contactless Office' Program Aims to Help Chicago Bounce Back;
Ontario Local Raises Money for Area Women's Shelter

October 2020

Local 1220 Member's 'Purposeful Walk' Takes
Him to Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame