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January/February 2001 IBEW Journal

Barry Retires as International President; Hill Elected By IEC; O'Connor Appointed International Secretary-Treasurer; McNally Becomes IEC Chairman.

Strength of character, leadership with dignity and conviction, dedication to the well-being of every IBEW member--these are but a few of the traits that marked the presidency of John Joseph "Jack" Barry, the fifteenth member to serve as International President of the IBEW, who announced his retirement from office effective January 29, 2001. The International Executive Council, acting under the authority granted it by the IBEW Constitution, elected International Secretary-Treasurer Edwin D. Hill as International President for the remainder of the term and bestowed upon Brother Barry the title of International President Emeritus.

The IEC also confirmed President Hill's appointment of Jeremiah J. O'Connor as International Secretary-Treasurer. Brother O'Connor had been the International Vice President from the IBEW's Sixth District covering Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. And on January 31, 2001, IEC Chairman Clyde Bowden announced his retirement. The IEC confirmed President Hill's appointment of Jack McNally, business manager of Local 1245, Walnut Creek, California, to fill that vacancy.

Barry Years Marked by Return to Growth

J. J. Barry was elected to the office of International President on August 1986. He was unanimously elected to a full term by the delegates to the 33rd International Convention in September 1986 in Toronto, Ontario. He won re-election unanimously at the IBEW's Centennial Convention in St. Louis in 1991 and again by an overwhelming margin at the 35th Convention in Philadelphia in 1996.
Upon taking office, Barry immediately set organizing as the IBEW's top priority, declaring the need for a union-wide return to the IBEW's roots. Today, the IBEW's active membership stands at approximately 775,000 active members, with especially strong growth in the construction branch over the past ten years. All branches are more involved in organizing, and the union has grown despite the continuing changes in the industrial economy of the United States and Canada.
Former President Barry also had the vision early in his tenure to realize the technology was rapidly changing the North American workplace. He emphasized the IBEW's traditional strengths in training and skills development. Under his leadership, the IBEW has undertaken major initiatives in continuing education and training for members in all branches.

During his terms in office, he became one of the most influential and respected leaders in the labor movement. He served as Vice President and Executive Council Member of the AFL-CIO, Vice President and Executive Council Member of the Building and Construction Trades Department and the Metal Trades Department. Former President Bill Clinton appointed him to serve on the Competitiveness Policy Council and the President's Export Council, in which positions then-President Barry fought for fair trade policies to protect the rights of workers around the world and open foreign markets to products made by IBEW members. He also served on the Board of Directors of the National Coordinating Committee for Multiemployer Plans and continues on the board of the Union Labor Life Insurance Company.

Brother Barry often called the IBEW the "Union of Hearts and Minds" symbolizing the Brotherhood's traditions of high skills and a commitment to good works within the community. He set an example of this throughout his career and was recognized numerous times for his charitable efforts. Among them were his selection as Man of the Year by the Cardinal's Committee on the Laity for the Archdiocese of New York in 1984, his receiving of the "God and Country" Award from the St. George Association's Chapter 80 in Long Island, New York, and his being honored with the "Brotherhood/Sisterhood Labor Award" from the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Barry was born in Syracuse, New York, on May 19, 1924. He was initiated into Local 43 in Syracuse in January 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-46. Barry became an active member of his local upon his return from the Navy, working for various contractors in central New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland and serving on the local's executive board. He was elected business manager in 1962. In 1968, he was appointed International Representative and in 1976 became International Vice President of the Third District covering New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Barry resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with his wife, Kitty. He has four children, Marie Murphy, Eileen Russell, and John and Vincent Barry, ten grandchildren and one great-grandson.

"Jack Barry has had one of the most distinguished and honorable careers of any International President in this great Brotherhood's history," said his successor International President Hill. "We all owe him a debt of gratitude for showing us the way to a brighter future. In keeping with his vigorous spirit, he will remain a trusted friend, valued advisor and inspirational leader for all of us in the IBEW.