The IBEW is in the driver’s seat as demand accelerates for available power and digital infrastructure, including the responsible expansion of data centers, the president of North America’s Building Trades Unions told delegates Sept. 23.
“The growth, strength and influence of this union are evident to anyone paying attention,” Sean McGarvey said, extolling the IBEW’s strong leadership and unparalleled workforce.
“North America needs more power generation: more transmission, manufacturing, electrification, broadband, data and infrastructure,” he said. “Every one of those opportunities will depend on the men and women of the IBEW to power, connect and define North America’s future.”
While data centers have become a major source of opportunity, McGarvey said he understands why they are controversial.
“Communities have legitimate questions about energy, water, land use and community impact. But the answer is not a moratorium that turns our backs on the work,” he said.
“The answer is responsible development to make sure the work is done right — done by us, with real community engagement, common-sense guardrails, and written agreements that create family-sustaining union careers and lasting value for the communities where these projects operate.”
The IBEW’s values, training and performance give it the clout to fight for those kind of conditions, power that increases as the union grows, McGarvey said. “Every worker organized, every apprentice recruited, every contractor relationship strengthened and every agreement signed makes this union stronger.”
He cited the IBEW’s wide-net approach, from signing up nonunion journey-level electricians to recruiting and training diverse classes of young people, veterans and career-changers.
One measurement of success, he said, is that IBEW apprentice wiremen accounted for more than 14% of NABTU Apprenticeship Readiness Program placements last year, “making the electrical trades a destination for new workers.”
More than ever, that includes women, he said, singling out the IBEW’s dynamic sisterhood and the voice it brings to NABTU committees and conferences.
“IBEW tradeswomen show up in force and demonstrate exactly what leadership, mentorship and solidarity look like,” McGarvey said.
He’s especially proud of the IBEW’s advocacy for mental health, saying the union has “long led the trades in safety, health and member wellbeing.”
“Brothers and sisters, you’re making an impact. In fact, suicides and overdoses are down across our industry,” he said. “Your work is helping create the kind of culture we are striving for … where asking for help is treated as a sign of strength, and where brotherhood and sisterhood means showing up before a crisis becomes a tragedy.”
