Is There Really No Difference?
L.U. 1 (as,c,ees,ei,em,es,et,fm,i,mt,rts,s,se,spa,st,ws&ptc), ST. LOUIS, MO — Greetings, sisters and brothers. A final federal rule was published July 1 to “remove unnecessary procedural requirements that are contrary to the Labor Secretary’s interest in moving forward quickly with deregulatory actions in accordance with Executive Order 14192, ‘Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation’ (90 FR 9065, Feb. 6, 2025) and which are not statutorily required.”
This rule change severely weakens oversight and relies on contractors to police and enforce policies. It places regulatory oversight, and who enforces compliance, with the labor secretary alone. Before this rule change, the labor secretary had to consult with the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, which was made up of industry professionals. Their role was to advise the secretary on any proposal to ensure that it was good policy or needed a few tweaks. Either way, their input would be a matter of public record.
During the last general election, I heard from our membership and saw debated in IBEW Facebook groups that there wasn’t any real difference between President Biden and President Trump. This rule change and many more proposed changes that will eventually go into effect will remove almost all regulatory help that OSHA could provide. It definitely would throw any dispute into the court system for years of delay and obfuscation. This sort of garbage was never an issue under the Biden administration.
OSHA is under attack. If it winds up being eliminated like the Department of Education, who will interpret and enforce our safe work practices?
Be vigilant, be consistent, and stay engaged.
Kyle Hunter, P.S.
2025 Rockford Labor Day Parade
L.U. 15 (u), DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Our local proudly participated in this year’s Rockford Labor Day Parade and picnic. President Chris Riser and Vice President Ben Busser enjoyed the day with fellow Local 15 members and their families. It was a beautiful afternoon to enjoy walking the route and passing out candy, while others showed their Local 15 pride with banners and by driving their classic cars.
When the parade finished, participants from many local unions enjoyed a picnic, activities for the kids and live music. President Riser stated: “On behalf of IBEW Local 15, I want to extend many thanks to every member and their families who came out to the Rockford Labor Day Parade this year. Your presence and solidarity were a powerful reminder of the strength and unity that define our union. Together, we honor our history and build for our future. Thank you for your continued dedication and pride in being part of Local 15!”
Bradley Gritt, Bus. Rep.
Spotlight on the Heart of the Thumb
L.U. 17 (catv,em,lctt,o&u), DETROIT, MI — Ask anyone from Michigan where in the state they reside, and they will automatically hold up their right hand and point to somewhere on what is affectionately known as “the Mitten.” A big part of Local 17’s jurisdiction is referred to as “the Thumb.” In the heart of the Thumb, Local 17 proudly represents administrative, customer service, maintenance, electrical and — most recently — communications employees who service the members of Thumb Electric Cooperative.
Over the last four years, TEC has designed and installed its own internet service for co-op members. All installation of this new infrastructure was done in concert with Local 17 and accomplished through the hard work of many additional bargaining-unit employees.
With the growth of their customer base and increased demand for service, TEC has added four new journeyman linemen through the Joint Michigan Apprentice Program. This marks the first time in TEC history that we have seen this volume of homegrown additions in the electrical department.
Thank you to all the retirees, long-term and new union members, co-op members, and TEC management for keeping it green in the Thumb!
Congratulations to Len Nowicki, the most recent JMAP graduate, who is pictured in the accompanying photo.
James Shaw, B.M.
Congratulations to Local 43 Retirees
L.U. 43 (em,i&rts), SYRACUSE, NY — Thank you to these recently retired members for their years of dedicated service to the IBEW and our local: Patrick G. Alfano, Steven H. Bortle, Paul J. Bova, William L. Brien, Phillip L. Burd, James E. Carr, Christopher W. Cole, Donald P. Columb, Gregory R. Coons, Barry F. Costello, John Currier, Paul Delaney, Lewis J. Ferland, John M. Flohn, Jeffrey P. Freund, James A. Gilberti, Paul C. Gordon, Michael J. Heagerty, Vincent G. Kiggins, Scott Kiner, Robert L. Knuth, Kenneth L. Laframboise, Steven M. Lennox, Michael J. Maher, Donn Milovicz, David Nichols, Michael G. Schanz, Martin W. Shute, Mark J. Teasley, Eugene M. Townsend, Timothy F. Veator, Allen H. Westcott and Kenneth R. Williams Jr.
We also wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following retirees who have reached a milestone within the IBEW: Rocco A. Ambrose, Forrest C. Bartelotte, Richard G. Bilow, Donald J. Collver, James A. Corbett, Patrick J. Costello, Dennis W. Cuff, Daniel G. Dienhoffer, Conrad A. Dorn, Raymond J. Gallagher, Joseph R. Jackson, Michael W. Kaido, Victor Kryworuchko, Charles E. Newton, Peter Rauscher, Jimmy R. Ryan, Frank P. Santorelli, Glenn F. Sweeney, Peter Vonzwehl and David Wierowski (50 years); James V. Borreggine, Sturgis F. Henecke, Paul F. Kloc, Donald A. Kuryla, Joseph P. Lormand, Joseph F. Oneill, Donald A. Parkhurst, Michael A. Rastani, James A. Roe, George V. Waters and John W. Welter (55 years); Anthony Acee, Gary B. Haas, Gilbert A. Kemp, John P. Lantry, James F. O’Leary, James W. Sheedy, James P. Smith, James F. Southard and Dennis H. Zach (60 years); and Donald R. Hart (65 years).
Jeff Cassano, P.S.
Congratulations to Brother Stan Stosel on his Retirement
L.U. 47 (lctt,mo,o,u&uow), DIAMOND BAR, CA — Greetings, brothers and sisters. Business Manager/Financial Secretary Colin Lavin has put out to vote and ratified extending all collective bargaining agreements between our local and Southern California Edison to Dec. 31, 2027. SCE sent a request to meet over safety cameras in the trucks, and more meetings are to come.
Local 47 wishes Senior Business Manager Stan Stosel a happy retirement!
Here are Local 47’s bargaining and event updates:
We’re sad to report the deaths of retired members Detrick Kelley and Daniel Arant. Our condolences and prayers are with their loved ones.
Work safe and buy union!
Mitch Smith, P.S.
Local Election Results and Scholarship Winners
L.U. 51 (catv,lctt,o,ptc,rtb,t,u&uow), SPRINGFIELD, IL — Our annual scholarship golf outing in June was a success, and 12 college scholarships have been awarded. Congratulations to our scholarship winners: Erin Brown, Blane Canada, Jaden Corley, Chelsee Hill, Garrett King, Brock Naile, Kyler Parks, Allison Sarginson, Alison Turner, Jane Turner, Kolby Weiss and Whitney Yoder.
The tournament’s first-place team consisted of Mark Clemens, Cody Schroeder, Mark Danenberger and Bob Baker. We appreciate the support of the sponsors for their generosity.
Local 51 elections also took place in June. Congratulations to the following officers: Business Manager/Financial Secretary Bobby Wedell, President Brad Wheeler, Vice President Colton Beams and Recording Secretary Stacey Heckman. Additionally, Wedell has been appointed as a trustee to the Line Construction Benefit Fund. This will benefit our members in outside construction.
A large, multi-circuit, 345-kilovolt substation project will start construction at a yet-undetermined time near Bloomington. This should be about a two-year project. Our line clearance tree trimming work is still strong. We continue to monitor the Verizon acquisition of Frontier Communications. Clinton Power Station begins a refuel outage this month.
Karlene Knisley, Bus. Rep.
Local 71 Brings Home Top Honors at Fourth District Progress Meeting
L.U. 71 (lctt,o&rtb), COLUMBUS, OH — The Fourth District Progress Meeting, held July 7-10 in Cleveland, brought together union members from across the region for a week of training, education and solidarity. The event featured valuable workshops and informative sessions designed to strengthen and grow the IBEW’s presence in every sector.
The highlight of the final day was Local 71 being recognized for its outstanding achievements in the outside construction sector, taking home multiple awards that reflect the dedication and hard work of leadership and members alike.
Award highlights included:
These awards are a testament to the tireless efforts of Local 71’s team and our commitment to growing the union, organizing new contractors and increasing market share across the district.
Congratulations to everyone involved in these remarkable achievements. Your work continues to set the standard for excellence in IBEW’s Fourth District.
It’s been a busy and successful summer for Local 71. Following the June golf outing, the local’s annual summer picnic at Cedar Point in July was another standout event that brought together approximately 1,800 members, family and friends for a day of food, fun, rides and union fellowship. Local 71 extends a heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out for the great weather and even better company.
James Roessner, R.S.
Clocking In and Knocking Out at Local 99
L.U. 99 (govt&i), PROVIDENCE, RI — Fourth-year apprentice William Guilmette always had a passion for boxing, which in turn opened his eyes to a career in the trades. As a teenager, he crossed paths with third-generation Local 99 member Bryant Lemme. Bryant opened his own boxing gym a few years later with help from Will. It was only a matter of time before Will applied to the apprenticeship program.
Starting as a first-year apprentice, Guilmette’s schedule became solely focused on his work in the IBEW and boxing. He is up at 4 a.m. to train before work and trains again after work.
His hard work paid off May 10, when Will made a huge statement in his professional debut. At the Foxwoods Resort Casino, with many members in attendance showing support, he knocked out his opponent within a minute of the first round in the ring!
As his career continues both at Local 99 and in the boxing ring, you can follow his journey on Instagram at @hardknocksboxing3160 or Facebook at Hard Knocks Boxing Club.
Sidney Jablonski, P.S.
Local 103 Celebrates 125 Years of Excellence
L.U. 103 (cs,i&ptc), BOSTON, MA — On Sept. 13, Local 103 proudly celebrated its 125th anniversary with more than 5,000 attendees at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center — a night filled with reflection, unity and celebration.
It was an unforgettable evening honoring the legacy, hard work and future of our union. As we celebrate our founding in 1900 to where we stand today, we look forward to the next 125 years!
James Fleming, P.S.
125 Years Strong
L.U. 113 (ees,em,i,mo,o&ptc), COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Greetings, brothers and sisters, from beautiful Colorado Springs.
The local celebrated its 125th anniversary March 29 with much of our membership and many guests. It was a wonderful night filled with brotherhood and camaraderie. During the celebration, retiree watches were awarded, and we awarded pins to those with 10 to 70 years of service. Raffles were held, pictures were taken, and a good time was had by everyone in attendance.
We held elections in June with some new, as well as familiar, faces running for office. This showed how well the democratic process works, be it local elections or the president of our great country, when you get out and vote. Always remember, a friend of labor is a friend of ours.
Local 113’s RENEW Committee is alive and well with a fair amount of involvement. They started a fishing club and built several floats for parades, as well as planned and ran the local’s summer picnic this year.
Work is slow but steady here. At the time of this writing, we anticipate the work picture to pick up with calls expected in October and more to follow.
Justin McMahon, R.S.
Local 141 Enjoys Annual Picnic and Golf Scramble
L.U. 141 (ees,i,o&u), WHEELING, WV — Greetings, brothers and sisters. The work picture in Wheeling has slowed a bit, with 45 members on Book 1. The local remains optimistic for many projects that are slated to kick off soon in our jurisdiction.
On Aug. 9, Local 141 held its annual family picnic and golf scramble at Wheeling Park. It was a picture-perfect day, with children’s activities, games, swimming, great food and brotherhood! The golf scramble was again a great success, with approximately 14 teams signed up to play. A big congratulations goes out to the winning team of Jason Balsei, Bryan Ramsay, Mason Ramsay and Tyler Ramsay.
As of this writing, Local 141’s Social Committee is setting its sights on the Paden City Labor Day Parade and festivities planned for the holiday season.
Kurt “Bug” Reed, P.S.
Be Thankful
L.U. 343 (i,spa&st), LE SUEUR, MN — The number of apprentices continues to grow. Three full-time instructors manage 210 students through 17 classes every two weeks. There are three first-year, four second-year, three third-year, four fourth-year and three fifth-year groups. The overall first-time passing rate for the Minnesota state exam is 36%. Union-trained apprentices have a passing rate of 80% to 85%, compared to the nonunion passing rate of 32%.
Nov. 11 — Veterans Day — is a provisional holiday. Local 343 has 136 veterans and active-duty members within its ranks, with 114 retired and active JWs. Fifteen apprentices and seven limited-energy members represent the rest. Honor the contract, thank a veteran, and enjoy the day off.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is a relatively new holiday to be added to the agreement, giving us a four-day weekend. It shouldn’t go unnoticed that Nov. 28 is also the IBEW’s birthday. Our union was founded by Henry Miller on Nov. 28, 1891, in St. Louis.
Henry Miller was a lineman. In 1895, an average work week was 60 hours at $2.30 a day. For 134 years, the IBEW has been striving for better pay, benefits and conditions for its members.
Support U.S. workers by supporting U.S. companies.
Tom Small, P.S.
A Winning Summer for Local 357
L.U. 357 (c,i,mt&se), LAS VEGAS, NV — It’s been a hot summer here in southern Nevada, but our local stayed cool with plenty of events, celebrations and accomplishments.
We honored Juneteenth with a heartfelt celebration recognizing the importance of freedom, unity and progress. Later in June, our members put their cooking talents to the test at the IBEW SoCal BBQ and Chili Cookoff. Their hard work paid off, as Local 357 proudly brought home first place in the side-dish category and third place in ribs.
July kept the momentum going as our members marched in the Boulder City Fourth of July Parade. The first half followed parade tradition, while the second half became an all-out water fight with the crowd — an unforgettable highlight we’re already looking forward to repeating next year.
August topped off the summer with major bragging rights as Local 357 captured first place in the second annual Southern Nevada Building Trades Bowling Championship. With two strong teams competing, our members showed once again that when it comes to teamwork and skill, Local 357 leads the way.
As one season winds down, the energy and pride of Local 357 are stronger than ever.
Julie-Ann Peeples, P.S.
Summer Events Show Local 481’s Strength
L.U. 481 (ees,em,i,mt,rts,s&spa), INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Our local closed the summer with plenty of membership engagement activities. The Electrical Workers Minority Caucus Committee held a family-friendly event at a community splash pad and pool. With more than 300 in attendance, it was a great day to share in some solidarity and enjoy the weather. Even a little bit of rain didn’t stop our members from having a great day.
Next up, Local 481 held its annual golf outing on a beautiful Saturday morning. With more than 140 golfers in attendance, it was a great opportunity to enjoy some brotherhood, tell some tall tales, have a few cold refreshments, raise some money for the Help Fund and hit few decent golf shots! A special shoutout goes to the office staff for giving up their Saturday to make sure the event was successful.
Last, we held our Labor Day picnic at the Indianapolis Zoo. More than 3,000 members and guests joined us to celebrate labor and all that we do as a workforce. Face painting, animal feeding, unlimited rides, a private dolphin show, a gorgeous day — what more could you ask for? Thank you to everyone who helped coordinate one of these events, and thanks to all who attended.
Our local is only as strong as the membership, and seeing the number of members who participated in these summer events is a great sign of Local 481’s strength.
Blake A. Andrews, Bus. Rep./Treas.
Local 601 Annual Softball Tournament
L.U. 601 (i&rtb), CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, IL — Our local’s softball team held its annual softball invitational for IBEW locals around Illinois.
Thirteen teams competed for the trophy this year: Chicago Local 134, Rock Island Local 145, Decatur Local 146, Waukegan Local 150, Joliet Local 176, Springfield Local 193, Bloomington Local 197, Rockford Local 364, Aurora Local 461, Champaign-Urbana and Streator branch Local 601, Alton Local 649 and Lisle Local 701.
Congratulations to Local 134 for winning first place this year!
First place: Chicago Local 134
Second place: Lisle Local 701
Third place: Alton Local 649
Consolation bracket: Aurora Local 461
Thanks for coming out, everyone! We’ll see you all again next year.
For photos of the event, check out the album at photos.app.goo.gl/f29ZZMy7786AJewA8
As of this writing, there are 29 on Book 1 and seven on Book 2, with seven open calls. We are accepting faxes and emails from members’ home locals to sign the out-of-work lists. Find out more at IBEW601.org.
Luther Baker, P.S.
Here’s to the Class of 2025
L.U. 611 (catv,es,govt,i,lctt,o,spa,t&u), ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Congratulations to all fifth-year apprentices who have successfully completed our apprenticeship program. This year’s banquet was held at the Sandia Resort Golf Club, a great venue.
This year’s Apprentice of the Year Award went to Christopher Lovelace, and the C.S. Mitchell Award was presented to Zachary Lee. Alexis Ortiz and Zachary Tso were awarded for perfect attendance.
Local 611’s new journeymen are: Peter Anagnostelis, Benjamin Antelope, Patrick Ayala, Amos Ayers, Rick Baca, Jason Beiswanger, Mister Birdo, Ryan Buckman, Travis Burkett, Isaah Byer, Marcus Castillo, Adam Chavez, Matthew Contreras, Juan Dominguez Catano, Austin Dropinski, Adam Garcia, Noah Henderson, Miguel Herrera, Oscar Ituarte, Sergio Leo-Garcia, Christopher Lovelace, Cynthia Mancha, Joshua Marquez, Adrian Martinez, William Means, Dawn Mitchell, Victor Mitchell, Sergio Moron, Skyler Newton, Alexis Ortiz, Ebin Roache, Harrison Romine, Dustin Roque, Dean Ryckman, Lawrence Sanchez, Jacob Smith, Miguel Sustaita-Cisneros, Andrew Taylor, Daniel Troncoso, Zachary Tso, Santiago Velarde and Tomas Wood. Congratulations to you all!
On behalf of the local, I’d like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to our brothers and sisters.
Darrell J. Blair, P.S.
Congratulations, Dominic Nolan!
L.U. 617 (c,i,mo&st), SAN MATEO, CA — On Aug. 8, our local collaborated with the IBEW Ninth District office to host a retirement celebration in honor of Dominic Nolan. International and local officers from the Ninth District gathered not only to commemorate the end of a career, but also to celebrate the journey of brotherhood, dedication and solidarity.
Brother Nolan served consecutive terms as business manager of Local 617 and, most recently, as the Ninth District international representative/chief of staff supporting International Vice Presidents Michael Mowrey, John O’Rourke and David Reaves. He led by example serving and representing the members of Local 617 and the IBEW with integrity, pride and mentorship.
On behalf of Local 617, thank you, Brother Nolan, for your friendship and such important work well done. Best of luck on your new adventures!
Scott Wein, B.M./F.S.
Getting the Message Out, Standing Strong Together
L.U. 1347 (ees,em,u&ptc), CINCINNATI, OH — Times are tough, and companies are more ruthless and profit-driven than ever. Local 1347 has chosen to partner with WKRC-TV, Channel 12, a Sinclair station proudly represented by Local 1347, to promote IBEW-made products and services. Channel 12, a leader in broadcasting, delivers top-notch coverage. If you haven’t seen our new commercial yet, visit ibew1347.org to watch it.
Even in the most difficult times, there is hope — and that’s where the union comes in. Standing alone is hard, but together we have strength.
Andrew Kirk, B.M./F.S.
Thanks for Your Service
L.U. 1579 (i&o), AUGUSTA, GA — Hello, brothers and sisters. I hope all is well. We want to congratulate all Local 1579 service award recipients who received their pins ranging from five to 60 years at our last ceremony. Thank you for your service to our local and the IBEW.
It’s been a very busy time for Local 1579 with the shutdowns at Plant Vogtle, the data center, the Augusta National Golf Course, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and Savannah River Mission Completion, and our in-town shops thriving. It’s a great problem to have, all of this work, but filling calls can be exhausting. I’m glad our brothers and sisters are thriving, though sometimes it’s your responsibility to your home local to help man these jobs.
I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday season, as it is quickly approaching.
Mike Greene, Pres.
