In Harms Way

As the April issue of the IBEW Journal went to press, the shooting in Iraq had not yet started. As I write this for May, U.S. and British troops are seizing control of all major cities, including Baghdad and Saddams statue has been pulled down. Thats how fast events have moved.

We have carried on the work of the Brotherhood during this time of war. Yet, whenever the brave men and women of our armed services are in harms way, the news from the battlefield is on everyones mind. This is especially true when one has a personal stake in the battle, as we in the IBEW do. So far more than 300 IBEW members are on leave from their jobs to serve on active military duty. Untold numbers of relatives of IBEW members have also answered the call. Their bravery and sacrifice make us feel proud and extremely grateful to have such outstanding individuals wearing the uniform of our nation.

We remain concerned about the aftermath of the war. But for now the priority is to pray for the safety and the victorious return home of the troops. We also pray for our commander-in-chief, that God may grant him wisdom in these times.

In the meantime, the task at home remains the same. We continue the never-ending struggle to bring justice and dignity to the lives of our members and all working people. We strive to help the United States and Canada put the ideals of freedom and democracythe same things we are trying to help others obtaininto practice here at home.

We expect that very soon, we will see billions of dollars poured into Iraq to try to establish democracy there and rebuild their shattered infrastructure of roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and much more. Thats fine, but its time we raise our voices and ask: What about our roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and infrastructure? Shouldnt we also take the same steps to help our own country that we take for a defeated enemy?

At present, Congress is still debating over whether to provide a tax cut for the wealthiest of Americans that is massive or simply huge. Either way, the coffers of the federal government will still be left with a massive deficit, choking off money that could spur investment, growth and opportunity, threatening to drive up interest rates and diverting resources from social security and other vital programs.

How about using that money to create jobs for real people building things that will help everybody?

We know our priorities. We are fully capable of separating George Bush the commander-in-chief from George Bush the political leader of the United States. Even though the president is occupied with matters of war and peace now, his accomplices in the administration continue to take aim at the foundation of trade unionism in this country.

Let us not forget that in last years elections and in the debate over whether or not to allow homeland security employees to organize, our opponents tried to link trade unionism to a lack of patriotism. That is the depth of the contempt in which they hold us.

The 112-year history of this Brotherhoodand the numbers of our own members now on active dutymake one thing clear. Attacks on our patriotism do not deserve even the dignity of a rebuttal. I see the extreme and shameful rhetoric of our opponents for what it isan attempt to intimidate organized labor from asserting the rights of working men and women, and an effort to weaken our standing as an effective voice for justice and dignity in the workplace and in society.

But we will not be silenced. The troops fighting in Iraq are our heroes because they are fighting for a better and a freer world. We owe it to them to make sure that democracy and the exercise of our basic rights as trade union members and citizens remain strong and intact for their return.

That is what we can and will do.

Edwin D. Hill
International President