Where We’ve Been:
Where We’re Going

December 2005 IBEW Journal

This is the time of the year when many of us review the year that’s coming to an end. Looking back is useful, but only if it helps us move forward.

We started the year by moving the IBEW into a new home. Occupied in January and dedicated in April, our building stands as a monument to the progress that our Brotherhood has made in its 114-year history. We have settled into our new quarters with greater efficiency of operations. Our financial goals remain on track, as the building proves to be the wise investment we had planned. We look forward to installing a state-of-the-art video display in our lobby to symbolize the dynamic nature of the IBEW. And our archives exhibit, scheduled to open in March 2006, will tie our past and future together.

More important than structures, however, was the determination of our union to move forward, even in the face of global economic challenges and continued political opposition. We made a good start in 2005 to strengthen ourselves internally through new initiatives in referral procedures and drug testing and the production and distribution of the DVD presentation, “State of Our Union” (now able to be viewed on the IBEW’s Web site), which tied together the difficult issues we must face for the sake of our future.

Our organizing has moved forward. As detailed in the last issue, our comprehensive membership development campaign in Florida is in full swing, involving all branches of the Brotherhood. How we fare in that key state will have an impact on our fate throughout North America. This is the most coordinated use of our resources—human and financial—since the early days of the Brotherhood, and more such campaigns are on the way.

This year also saw the end of 50 years of solidarity when several major unions split from the AFL-CIO to form a new coalition. The harsh rhetoric and emotion coming from the leaders of the departing unions, however, was not matched by a splintering of the movement at the local level. The success that the labor movement in California enjoyed by beating back all of the ballot propositions backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger showed that there is hope for working together and ultimate reuniting of the federation.

Mother Nature proved a far greater threat than politicians through a historically disastrous hurricane season that changed the lives of people in the Gulf Coast region, especially southern Louisiana. I saw with my own eyes how entire towns were literally blown or washed away, and the suffering of those affected cannot be imagined. Still, the IBEW was there for its members with practical assistance, and an international show of generosity toward all the victims of the hurricanes demonstrates that people of good will working together can overcome even the worst tragedy.

The hurricanes coincided with another loss, the passing of International President Emeritus J. J. “Jack” Barry, one of the great leaders in IBEW history. Jack’s leadership touched countless lives, and we will miss his wisdom and counsel.

Perhaps the challenges of 2005 taught us once again that life goes on and there is no rest in the struggle for dignity and justice. The upcoming year will include the 37th International Convention of the IBEW, to be held in Cleveland, Ohio. The convention will be, as always, as opportunity to work together to chart the future course of the Brotherhood and face decisions critical to our future. We also look forward to the midterm elections in the United States, which will tell us much about the future direction of the country. And we expect good things in Canada as the First District implements its strategic plan for growth.

International Secretary-Treasurer Walters and I wish all of you a healthy, happy holiday season and best wishes for a prosperous new year. Our strength and solidarity are gifts from God, and we should give thanks for that as we mark the passing of another year and march forward into the future.

Edwin D. Hill

International President