39th IBEW Convention 2016 > Convention Action

CONVENTION ACTION

39th Convention voting results and other business on the floor of the convention and in the various committees and caucuses throughout the week.

Friday Sept. 23, 2016

Delegates Finish Debate on Resolutions

Delegates passed six resolutions during the International Convention’s final session on Friday and followed the Resolutions Committee recommendation on two others and voted non-concurrence.
Tacoma, Wash., Local 483 Business Manager Alice Phillips was the committee chairman. Meriden, Conn., Local 483 Business Manager was the secretary.

Resolutions Passed:

Resolution No. 14: Was passed after being sent back to the Resolutions Committee for further study earlier this week. Encourages local unions to contribute to the IBEW Political Action Committee, especially in federal elections, but notes that contributions are not mandatory.

Resolution No. 15: Was passed after being sent back to the committee for further study earlier this week. Encourages Canadian locals to contribute to the Canadian National Political Action Fund, especially after the fund’s success in last year’s federal elections.

Resolution No. 47: Delegates went on record supporting the constitutional requirement to use the IBEW’s web-based accident reporting system for serious lost-time accidents and fatalities.

Resolution No. 48: Delegates endorsed exploring a merger between the IBEW and the Utility Workers Union of America.

Resolution No. 49: Encourages members who work near or on any live radio frequency radiation emitter to document their exposure through their employer’s accident reports. Reports should be forwarded to the International Office’s Safety Department.

Resolution No. 51: Recognizes the important of RENEW/NextGen to the future growth of the IBEW.

Resolutions Defeated:

Resolution 50: Like Resolution 51, it recognized the importance of RENEW/NextGen, but also asked for a non-voting seat added to the IEC for a RENEW/NextGen council member. Delegates followed a recommendation of non-concurrence from the committee, which noted it had no authority to add an IEC seat.

Resolution 52: Delegates again followed the committee’s recommendation of non-concurrence, for a resolution asking for support to hold the 40th International Convention in Philadelphia. The committee noted the IBEW Constitution states only the IEC can determine the convention site.

Thursday Sept. 22, 2016

Action Taken on Numerous Resolutions

Delegates passed 23 resolutions presented by the Resolutions Committee, chaired by Tacoma, Wash., Local 483 Business Manager Alice Phillips. Meriden, Conn., Local 457 Business Manager John Fernandes serves as secretary.

The following action was taken:

Passed Resolutions:

Resolution No. 17: Communication from the international president should be used to determine if a member is in good standing.

Resolution No. 18: Encourages local unions to join the National Safety Council.

Resolution No. 20: Reinforces the commitment to the mission of the Safety Caucus. Resolution No. 19 was combined into it because of similar language.

Resolution No. 21: Reminds local unions the NECA/IBEW Family Medical Care Plan is a high-quality health insurance option.

Resolution No. 22: Encourages local unions to support the Electrical Industry Pension Reciprocal Agreement.

Resolution No. 23: Affirms ongoing support in the Electrical Industry Health and Welfare Reciprocal Agreement.

Resolution No. 24: Asks delegates to request a call-center employee based in the United or Canada when contacting a company.

Resolution No. 25: Urges support for research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig Disease.

Resolution No. 26: Urges the IBEW to enhance its working relationship with the National Electrical Contractors Association.

Resolution No. 28: Encourages local unions to include anti-discrimination language in bargaining agreements.

Resolution No. 29: Encourages continued participation in the National Training Institute.

Resolution No. 30: Reaffirms support for the Davis-Bacon Act.

Resolution No. 31: Commends Hour Power for making the IBEW brand more attractive to customers.

Resolution No. 34: Encourages the appointment of a Committee on Diversity and Full Inclusion. Resolutions 32 and 33 were combined into it because of similar language.

Resolution No. 35: Supports the development of a national policy that encourages the retention of baseload generating facilities.

Resolution No. 36: Calls for legislation that maximizes the use of coal in the future in an environmentally friendly manner.

Resolution No. 37: Encourages the construction of new nuclear power plants and the adoption of better regulatory policy.

Resolution No. 38: Asks the secretary-treasurer to explore whether an electronic warrant system can be developed for local unions.

Resolution No. 41: Urges local union and union employer trustees invest in the IBEW-NECA Diversified Underwritten Real Estate Fund. Resolution No. 40 was combined into it due to similar language.

Resolution No. 42: Urges local unions to mentor women in the workplace and build on the successes of the Women’s Caucus.

Resolution No. 43: Encourages local unions to create a new member orientation.

Resolution No. 44: Encourages the continued support of the March of Dimes.

Resolution No. 45: Encourages all construction locals to support Project Tracker.

Resolution No. 46: Recommits support for 100 percent participation in the Construction Jobs Board.

Not Passed:

Resolution No. 39: Withdrawn. International President Lonnie R. Stephenson pledged to explore a tree trimmers committee.

Wednesday Sept. 21, 2016

Delegates Continue Work on Resolutions

Delegates considered resolutions presented to the membership by the Resolutions Committee, chaired by Tacoma, Wash., Local 483 Business Manager Alice Phillips. Meriden, Conn., Local 457 Business Manager John Fernandes serves as secretary.

Four resolutions passed, but two involving political action were sent back to committee.

Passed Resolutions:

Resolution No. 11: Urges each local union to educate members on skin cancer awareness and the dangers of sun exposure.

Resolution No. 12: Encourages local unions with manufacturing membership to contact the Manufacturing Department to have its products listed at www.IBEWmade.com.

Resolution No. 13: Resolves that local unions showcase their training programs more in their respective communities, especially to educators, elected leaders and potential customers. It says IBEW training is the best in the electrical industry and it should be used a marketing tool.

Resolution No. 16: Encourages local unions and districts to utilize established affinity groups to mobilize members on important issues. It was passed after an amendment was added to include women’s groups in the list of affinity groups and clubs.

Resolutions pending:

Resolution No. 14: Encourages local unions to support the IBEW Political Action Committee at an average of $12 per member. It states the IBEW’s political actions are more effective when there is a strong national PAC. A motion was passed to send it back to the Resolutions Committee so language could be added to clarify the difference between a state and federal PAC.

Resolution No. 15: Encourages locals in Canada to continue to support and also encourage members to support the National Political Action Committee, especially after its success during last year’s federal elections, at an average of CA$10 per member. After debate, a motion to send it back to the committee was later passed in order to make the language more acceptable to Canadian members.

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Convention Ratifies IVP, IEC Choices

Convention delegates put their unanimous seal of approval on the results from Monday’s district caucuses, which selected nominees for international vice presidents and members of the International Executive Council.

Each of the 11 vice presidents and eight IEC members were elected after having their names placed in nomination by a brother from their home district. Acceptance speeches were filled with gratitude for families and for the Brotherhood they each chose to serve.

International President Lonnie R. Stephenson invited President Emeritus Edwin D. Hill to swear in the officers.

International Vice President

First District: William F. Daniels

Second District: Michael P. Monahan

Third District: Donald C. Siegel

Fourth District: Kenneth W. Cooper

Fifth District: Joseph S. Davis

Sixth District: David J. Ruhmkorff

Seventh District: Steven M. Speer

Eighth District: Jerry Bellah

Ninth District: John J. O’Rourke

Tenth District: Brent E. Hall

Eleventh District: Curtis E. Henke

International Executive Council

Chairman: Christopher Erikson
Local 3, New York

First District: Joseph P. Calabro
Local 1158, Newark, N.J.

Second District: Myles J. Calvey
Local 2222, Boston

Third District: James D. Burgham
Local 64, Youngstown, Ohio

Fourth District: William W. Riley
Local 349, Miami

Fifth District: Michael D. Walter
Local 1439, St. Louis

Sixth District: Chris J. Wagner
Local 520, Austin, Texas

Seventh District: Patrick Lavin
Local 47, Diamond Bar, Calif.

Eighth District: Ross Galbraith
Local 37, Fredericton, N.B.

Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016

Delegate Debate on Resolutions Begins

After discussion by delegates, the following action was taken:

Passed Resolutions:

Delegates approved the committee’s recommendation of concurrence for the following resolutions:

Resolution No. 1: Renewed a commitment to the 10-year-old Code of Excellence and states it is necessary to continue the IBEW’s growth into the future.

Resolution No. 2: Reaffirms the IBEW’s dedication to organizing, calling it especially important in the light of the continued decline in the percentage of unionized workers and the rise in the number of right-to-work states.

Resolution No. 5: Encourages local unions to support business development programs and to work in close cooperation with signatory contractors to exceed customers’ expectations.

Resolution No. 6: Reaffirms the IBEW’s long-standing relationship with Helmets to Hardhats, a nonprofit organization that aids military members transitioning from active duty into a job in the construction industry.

Resolution No. 7: Reaffirms the commitment to VEEP – the Veterans Electrical Entry Program, which helps veterans who have left the military gain entrance into an apprenticeship program. The resolution also calls on the IBEW to work with the National Electrical Contractors Association and the Electrical Training Alliance, the IBEW’s training partner for more than 70 years, to assist locals in providing training programs for veterans.

Resolution No. 8: The IBEW renewed its commitment to Electrical Workers Without Borders, a nonprofit organization that works to develop an electrical infrastructure in developing nations and regions struck by a natural disaster.

Resolution No. 9: Encourages members who enjoying hunting, fishing and spending time in the outdoors to participate in the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, the nonprofit, union-dedicated conservation organization for outdoor enthusiasts. The resolution said the group helps unite the labor movement and the committee noted that one local has secured work on a large retail development due to its involvement in the alliance.

Resolution No. 10: Encourages locals to make full use of all political tools made available by the International Office and AFL-CIO, especially during an election year. The resolution lists several tools locals can use to help elect labor-friendly candidates.

Combined resolutions:

Resolution No. 3: Calls on the IBEW to develop a public education program focused on the value of public sector workers in the United States and Canada and encourages local to organize and support those workers.

The resolution was combined with Resolution No. 4, which noted the increased attacks on public sector workers in both the United States and Canada at all levels of government. The committee noted that it was part of a coordinated attack going back to the Reagan administration’s firing of the striking air traffic controllers in 1981. The resolution states the IBEW will do everything in its power to defend public sector workers and their right to organize.

The amended resolution was passed by the delegates.