The guest speakers who came to St. Louis came from the IBEW ranks, countries as far away as Australia, and organizations committed to defending the middle class. They spoke on topics ranging from organizing and political involvement to mentoring, solidarity and diversity.

Ireland's Technical Engineering and Electrical Union General Secretary Paddy Kavanagh addressed delegates Sept. 20, noting the long history between the Irish and North American labor movements.

"By and large the problems faced by the IBEW in the U.S. and Canada are similar to the issues we face in Ireland," Kavanagh said. "The question we must ask ourselves is how we can meet these challenges as modern, innovative and organized trade unions."

Carlo De Masi, secretary-general of the Italian Federation of Utility Workers, brought a message of borderless brotherhood to the International Convention.

"The IBEW and the FLAEI represent an important part of the workforce, that being electrical power, which has always represented the symbol of light. Light that takes darkness away from our homes, our streets, and our cities."

National Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union of Australia Allen Hicks celebrated the two-decade relationship between his union and the IBEW on Sept. 21.

"In a future where businesses are increasingly globalized, and more than willing to exploit a lack of connectedness between unions in different countries, solidarity is more important than ever," Hicks said.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka delivered a spirited speech Sept. 21 on the importance of unions to all working people.

"When we organize … when we stand strong, wages go up for everyone," Trumka said. "Our nation is rediscovering unionism right now ... when we win, the country wins."

Delegates were treated to an impassioned speech from Canadian Labour Congress President Hassan Yussuff on the importance of pushing back against anti-labor policies and electing pro-labor candidates.

"When you pick a fight with us, we will not roll over," said Yussuff, the first person of color elected to lead the CLC. "We'll fight to defend the interests of our working people."

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler spoke to delegates Sept. 20 about a program she worked on during her time with the IBEW: the Code of Excellence.

"I want to thank Lonnie for his leadership and for continuing to make the Code of Excellence a priority," Shuler said. "I always say, we should have a code of excellence for every union in the AFL-CIO."

North America's Building Trades Union President Sean McGarvey addressed delegates with a call for outreach to politicians from all parties.

"I urge you to look for opportunities to engage with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle," McGarvey said, citing the new Congressional Building Trades Caucus, created by Rep. Donald Norcross, a Folsom, N.J., Local 351 member, and Rep. David McKinley, a West Virginia Republican.

President Emeritus Edwin D. Hill thanked delegates on Sept. 20 for electing his successor and advised them to guard against complacency in the presidential election.

"When a person begins to consider retirement ... they think long and hard about a successor, taking into consideration everything from personality to determination to conviction," Hill said. "I followed that process as best I could and I chose wisely." Hill retired in June 2015 after 15 years as president.

Hill reminded the delegates of the importance of organizing, community involvement and political action — and electing Hillary Clinton president in November.

"This is a woman who has been a friend to the IBEW since her days as first lady," Hill said. "She is smart, she is tested, she is committed to our core values and as prepared as anyone in history to be president."

International Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus Jerry O'Connor addressed delegates on the convention's opening day with a fiery speech about the vital role of the labor movement. When organized labor flourishes, he said, so does the middle class.

"If you won't organize for yourselves or for the IBEW or for organized labor ... If you don't, your kids, their kids, and their kids are going to work for starvation wages and live in your basement."

International Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus Lindell Lee delivered an optimistic vision for the future of the labor movement. Unions have been under attack for as long as they've existed, he said, but through good times and bad, working people have always endured.

"We have never given up in the past because the future looks tough," he said. "Thank you for demonstrating the same endurance and strength for future members that our founding fathers demonstrated for us."

IBEW General Counsel Rich Resnick urged delegates to consider the labor implications of elections and what members can do as he addressed delegates.

"These last five years, from a legal standpoint, have been good for the IBEW," Resnick said as he noted the authority of the president to choose cabinet secretaries and Supreme Court justices.

Resnick also stressed the importance of mentoring.

"I urge you to take someone under your wing and encourage them to be active members," he said.

Democratic strategist Steve McMahon delivered a frank assessment of the state of politics in the U.S., attributing the rise of ideologues to hyper-partisanship and the lack of civility among elected leaders today.

"Wouldn't it be great if our nation's leaders were more like [the IBEW]?" he asked. "Calm, thoughtful … always interested in finding a way to move forward."

Darrell Roberts, executive director of Helmets to Hardhats, a program that connects returning veterans with skilled construction jobs, spoke to delegates Sept. 21.

"Continue to fight the fight so I can keep bringing vets to you," Roberts said. "Our veterans should be able to say, 'I proudly served my country and now I proudly work for the IBEW."