Related Articles
|
"Rekindle the Spirit" - The 2004 IBEW Manufacturing Conference Mike Mowrey, International Vice President, Ninth District, welcomed the delegates to Las Vegas and conveyed his wishes for a successful conference. Stanley Rice, Local Union 613 delegate and Chairman of System Council EM-5 delivered the invocation. International President Hill thanked the delegates for their efforts and hard work on behalf of their members, and recognized the Manufacturing Department Staff for the work they do for the IBEW. He reported on the unfair trade petition filed by the AFL-CIO against China that cites human and worker rights abuses. These policies keep workers wages low and cause great harm to the U.S. market. He also noted that China manipulates their currency, which creates an unfair cost disadvantage for companies doing business in North America. In his remarks to the delegates, Bob Roberts, Director of Manufacturing, reiterated the theme "Rekindle the Spirit." Although the IBEW Manufacturing branch has experienced a dramatic loss of members over the years, the rate of loss was significantly less last year. Director Roberts reported on recent organizing successes within manufacturing, and pointed out the many advantages and benefits of union membership. He urged the delegates to protect what has been achieved by getting their members involved and more active in politics, organizing and non-traditional collective bargaining. Director Roberts reminded the delegates that "Theres much work to do to rekindle the spirit of our manufacturing membership" and "you must be the catalyst for change. You can make a difference." Rick Diegel, Director, IBEW Political/Legislative Affairs Department affirmed the importance of this years election, reminding delegates that "money is the mothers milk of politics." Director Diegel acknowledged those local unions that have been contributing to COPE, and urged those locals that have not contributed to start. He stated that, given President Bushs record fundraising, organized labor needs to do more than we have in the past, continuing our "grassroots" campaign to focus on the issues facing working men and women. Rocky Clark, Director, IBEW Professional and Industrial Membership Development, discussed the various aspects of an organizing campaign. Because organizing is ever changing, he urged the delegates to be creative and implement strategies that enhance the potential for success. The delegates also heard presentations on the financial management of their 401(k) plans, union-sponsored insurance plans, effective communications and the IBEW Products web site.
|
IBEW Construction Conference Focuses on Excellence and Political Action"Show Us The Jobs" Tour Heads to Washington, D.C.www.showusthejobs.comAdministration Finds Good News In Job Flight Overseas
Industrial Trade Workers Mobilize on Capitol Hill...
|
The
2004 IBEW Manufacturing Conference took place May 5 7 in Las Vegas,
Nevada, at the New Frontier Hotel.
Bob
Roberts, IBEW Manufacturing Department Director, opened the conference
and provided the delegates, who represented 67 percent of the manufacturing
membership, with a full agenda. Director Roberts set the stage for
this years conference theme, "Rekindle the Spirit" with
a powerful video of the nations longest running successful strike
by the 550 workers of the then, Frontier Hotel. Director Roberts
delivered the message that "the spirit exhibited by these strikers
and their families must be rekindled and incorporated in servicing
our members and in organizing new members. Its that spirit that
the labor movement was built on, and its that spirit that will
keep it strong."
President
Hill also reported on the continuous string of monthly job losses,
despite the administrations recent touting of job creation figures,
stating that they are 2 million jobs short of what was promised.
He recounted the numerous economic policies that are eroding the
middle class and our communities and promoting outsourcing and relocation
of our jobs offshore. He then emphasized the IBEWs need to continue
membership development, and announced the creation of a new Industrial/Professional
Organizing Program that will be introduced in the near future.
International
Secretary-Treasurer Jerry OConnor thanked the delegates for their
perseverance in the defense of our members. "It was the strength
and activism of manufacturing workers across our nation that thrust
the issues of unfair trade, outsourcing, community decline and the
exploitation of low-wage workers here at home and across the globe
out into the open for the whole world to see." He urged the
delegates to keep our retired sisters and brothers involved in this
years election campaign and draw from their experience and knowledge.
Secretary-Treasurer OConnor stated, its our job to keep communicating
the issues that working men and women care about. He wished the
delegates a great conference and stressed the importance of electing
John Kerry President, stating, "Lets get this job done, for
our families, for our nation, for our union, for our democracy."
The
2004 Manufacturing Conference also included a panel discussion by
participants of two successful organizing campaigns at Cooper Tire
in Iowa and Osram in Kentucky. Don Hasbrouck, a newly organized
IBEW Local Union 1634 member, received a standing ovation from the
delegates after his emotionally uplifting story of why he sought
representation from the IBEW.