L.U. 16 (i), EVANSVILLE, IN — Our area's brotherhood and Christmas spirit were strong as dozens of wiremen, apprentices and helpers contributed hundreds of hours on nights and weekends to make the 31st annual Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights possible.

FOL is the premier fundraising event for Easterseals' tri-state rehabilitation center. Since its inception, millions of dollars have been generated to help underwrite life-altering therapies for local children and adults who could otherwise not afford them. Special thanks are due to the Evansville JATC students and their instructors for the many evenings they gave to this worthy cause.

This year's Entertainment Committee members have been busy with family activities, including the Halloween trunk-or-treat and Christmas photos with Santa. Thanks to each of them for making these events possible.

Local 16 will soon be changing its apprenticeship program to a four-year schedule. It is hoped that this initiative will accelerate journeymen's availability. It should also make the program more appealing to nonunion tradesmen deterred by the length and intensity of the curriculum without compromising the program's high educational standards.

Donald P. Beavin, P.S.

L.U. 24 (es,i&spa), BALTIMORE, MD — Greetings from Charm City! We hope you had an enjoyable holiday season.

During National Apprenticeship Week, our JATC hosted another Industry Connect event with NECA and ELECTRI International. More than 120 students from high schools and technical programs in our jurisdiction joined us to interview our apprentices about their careers, watch a demonstration of medium-voltage cable splicing and test their skills bending conduit. It was a pleasure to watch so many young people realize this might be the career they'll choose in their near future. Many of them picked up apprenticeship applications on their way out.

After the tour and demonstrations, Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen had a few words to say to the gathered students, including high praise for union apprenticeships. We'd like to thank our entire JATC team and especially apprentices Rachael Amspacher, Brandon Bowers, George Kiama and Dominik Parks for speaking to the students about how they joined the union and are building family-sustaining careers in our industry.

Live Better/Work Union!

Michael McHale, B.M.

L.U. 26 (ees,em,es,govt,i&mt), WASHINGTON, DC — I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. Local 26 is very excited about the prospects of 2025!

Here are some key dates in 2025 to mark on your calendars:

• Spring Pension Seminar — Sat., April 5
• Spring Financial Awareness Seminar — Sat., May 3
• D.A.D.'s Day Golf Outing — Mon., June 2
• JATC Graduation — Sat., June 7`
• Virginia Picnic (Manassas) — Sat., June 28
• Virginia Picnic (Roanoke) — Sat., July 26
• Maryland Picnic — Sat., Aug. 23
• Local 26 Fishing Trip — Sat., Sept. 20
• Poker Run for Special Love — Sat., Sept. 27
• Fall Pension Seminar — Sat., Oct. 4
• Fall Financial Awareness Seminar — Sat., Nov. 1
• Front Royal Holiday Party — Fri., Dec. 5
• Roanoke Holiday Party — Sat., Dec. 6
• Maryland Holiday Party — Fri., Dec. 12

For more information about our events or to register, please visit our website at ibewlocal26.org.

Best wishes to the following retirees: Andrew Alexander, Nelson Asamoah, Gregory Bayliff, Donald Callahan, Peter Chin, Dean Cristarella, Dean Filomena, Nathan Gignac, Stephen Herber, Laurence Humble, David Johnson Sr., Vuthy Kheav, Michael Locastro, Anthony Lord, William Muise, Calvin Phoenix, Scott Ponton, John Schroeder, Mark Smith, Douglas Thomas, Mark Thomas, Thomas Trainum and Darrell Williams.

The following members have passed away since our last article: Robert Adcock, Kenneth Baldwin, Viorel Baranga, Michael Bibb, Kyle Blevins, Richard Herber Jr., James McDonough, Charles McMahon, Bernard Quillin and Karl Statter.

Joseph F. Dabbs, B.M.

L.U. 46 (as,c,cs,em,es,et,i,mar,mo,mt,rtb,rts&st), SEATTLE, WA — The IBEW Pathway to Apprenticeship (IP2A) became a Washington state recognized pre-apprenticeship program in October. This organizing tool, developed by our project labor agreement/community workforce agreement team, is designed to attract students who will be entering the workforce soon, especially those in underrepresented communities. All the seniors in Cohort 1 are off for an interview at the Puget Sound Electrical JATC.

The Washington Women in the Trades held their 16th Dream Big Dinner in October. Four Local 46 sisters were acknowledged for their contributions: Angela Jackson, Carol Nishikawa, Laurie Meyers and Julie Southwick.

Our political action committee put in countless hours getting the word out to our local members to vote. Thank you to Nicole Grant and all the many volunteers who made phone calls and knocked on doors. Coming off the heels of an election that will surely change what the IBEW and other construction unions look like, it is more important than ever to continue to organize and secure work for our members.

Remember that electrical work just wants to be done. It doesn't care what the worker looks like, what gender the person is, how they vote. We are all united as brothers and sisters of the IBEW. #NoExcuse

Chris Boling, V.P./P.S.

L.U. 134 (catv,em,govt,i,mt,rtb,rts,spa&t), CHICAGO, IL — Contractors working at McCormick Place entered a record-breaking work order into the IBEW referral system in November. A total of 700 electricians were needed, and Local 134 was proud to fill that call. Trade show work at McCormick Place has been a steady source of short-call job opportunities for Local 134 members dating to the 1960s.

On Nov. 22, the McCormick trade show schedule had an overlap where the highly successful Microsoft trade show was tearing out while the world's largest medical imaging exhibition, the Radiological Society of North America, was moving in.

This created an opportunity for 400 IBEW members to work on the Microsoft tear-down while another 300 members were working on the RSNA installation. The 700 qualified members on site in a single day surpassed the number of electricians used to build McCormick Place. This well-coordinated venture occurred throughout all four McCormick Place buildings and the Marriott and Hyatt hotels. All of these jobs would not have been possible without the well-coordinated efforts of MPEA, Freeman and Edlen, the contractors who execute events throughout McCormick Place every day in conjunction with the Local 134 referral department.

We want to take this moment to recognize the number of skilled professionals on-site from Local 134 and surrounding locals who answered this record-breaking call to action.

Thank you for all that you do!

Donald Finn, B.M./F.S.

L.U. 150 (es,i,rts&spa), WAUKEGAN, IL — Happy New Year from Local 150! We wish all members of the IBEW and their families a healthy and successful 2025.

We awarded retirement watches and years-of-service pins for those with 50+ years of service at our annual Christmas general meeting. We would like to congratulate and thank the 23 members who received their retirement watches. May you all have a long and enjoyable retirement!

We were honored to present 19 members with 50-year pins, 11 members with 55-year pins, four members with 60-year pins and five members with 65-year pins. We recognized Brother Gerald Wicks and Brother Robert Dixon for achieving 70 years of service. Congratulations, and thank you for your lifelong commitment and service to the IBEW and Local 150!

While our Christmas meeting is a time for honor and celebration, it is also to remember those who came before us. With deep sadness, we report the deaths of our following brothers in 2024: Ronald "Roy" Ballantini, Ronald Bigelow, Kenneth Crede, Arthur Forsell, Richard "Rich" Jelinek, Steven Karr, Ronald W. Lobodzinski, Thomas Love, Ardell Maatta, John Meyer, Lee Morley, William "Bill" Rose Sr., Roger S. Shoumake, Ken Umbdenstock Sr., Stephen Vizcarra, and Richard Wells. Please keep thoughts of our departed brothers and their families in your minds and hearts.

Sisters and brothers, we look forward to making memories with you all at upcoming 2025 IBEW and Local 150 functions! See you there!

Aaron M. Rendon, R.S./P.S.

L.U. 226 (em,i,rtb,rts&spa), TOPEKA, KS — Our local congratulates Brother Richard Rawlings on his retirement. Here's to a wonderful next chapter of life. Enjoy your retirement, Brother Rawlings!

"I don't think I would have ever gone to Alaska if I hadn't joined the IBEW." –Richard Rawlings

Anthony (Tony) Cahill, B.M./F.S.

L.U. 340 (i,rts&spa), SACRAMENTO, CA — It has been another booming year for our members and local as a whole. In the past year, we managed to supply manpower to a jobsite requiring close to 100 calls, and we revamped our organizing group, VOLT (Volunteer, Outreach, Leadership Team), which assisted on political walks.

Many of our local's committees had the opportunity to host fundraising events and participate in outreach programs, and we sent some of our members to conferences to network and gain resources. One of our new members organized a jiu-jitsu group and received a full-page article in this very newspaper. (See "How a California Local Got Its Own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club" in the September 2024 issue.) Additionally, a recent apprentice graduate won first place overall at the Western States Electrical Contest, the first time Local 340 won at this competition.

These are just a few of the accomplishments our local can boast about. There are many things our local has been thankful for, but one that stands true every year is our membership. Without each of our members, both current and retired, we would not be where we are today. I am grateful to all those who have stood beside us and trusted the direction in which we strive to lead our local. Wishing all another wonderful year ahead.

Robert D. Ward, B.M./F.S.

L.U. 488 (i&mt), BRIDGEPORT, CT — During the holiday season, our local gave the best gift of the season to 19 new members, the gift of IBEW membership. At a well-attended meeting in December, Local 488 was extremely proud of the latest members brought into our Brotherhood.

President Stephen Rodrigues said: "Welcome, new members — you will get out of the membership what you put in. Stay active and be involved." Business Manager Daniel McInerney remarked: "Congratulations and welcome to our new brothers and sisters. I encourage you to participate in our union and wish you a long and healthy career in the IBEW."

Jerome White, R.S.

L.U. 540 (i), CANTON, OH — A Massillon City Council proposal to remove a nearly 15-year-old ordinance regarding project labor agreements was voted down thanks to the combined efforts of members of our local, the East Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Hall of Fame Central Labor Council.

The proposed ordinance removal was first brought to the attention of Local 540 leadership Sept. 30. No time was wasted on making a call to action to the surrounding labor organizations, and the call was answered in force. Over the next month, the council chambers were packed at each public hearing with union members giving testimonies and opening the conversation to the city council on exactly what PLAs are.

The cross-trade solidarity and determination of the area's tradespeople were commendable and a testament to what we can accomplish in the face of adversity when we stand together. With the less-than-ideal outcome of election season, we must not forget the power we wield in unity. We have been elevated to the middle class because we stand on the shoulders of our unions' forefathers, and we will never compromise our history. Solidarity forever!

Logan Hammer, P.S.

L.U. 648 (em,i,spa&u), HAMILTON, OH — Our local and the Hamilton division of NECA received a grant from the Economic Development Administration for the construction of a new training facility. The Butler Warren Co. EJATC worked on this grant application with our contracted grant writer, A.M. Crawford, for over a year before receiving final approval. We are excited to receive this award, allowing us to begin construction after years of discussion. This facility will improve our apprenticeship training and allow us to grow at a time when the work picture demands it. Everyone on our Apprenticeship Committee came together and collaboratively made this happen.

The future of apprenticeship looks bright, and in Hamilton, the stars have aligned. This project will carry our apprenticeship into the future of an ever-changing industry. Ten years ago, our program generally carried approximately 70 apprentices. Currently, we have 129 active apprentices, with plans to grow and offer even more opportunities.

This project was supported by the Apprenticeship Committee, contractor association, union members, grant team, several secured union electrical projects and our community backing for union apprenticeships. The award is timely, and this grant will significantly aid in the construction of the estimated $3.2 million training lab.

Bobby Angst, P.S.

L.U. 1002 (o&govt), TULSA, OK — Bill and Jennifer Towler received the IBEW Life Saving Award at the local's Christmas party for their heroic actions in saving Ashlen Franklin, a construction member gravely injured by electrocution in March 2023. While walking, the Towlers heard an explosion and rushed to help. Jennifer called 911 while Bill performed chest compressions, with the couple alternating CPR until emergency services arrived, saving Ashlen's life.

Ashlen endured a challenging recovery, including 49 days in the hospital, 20 surgeries and the loss of her dominant arm. With a robotic arm and myoelectric hand, she continues to rebuild her life with strength and the unwavering support of her family. Her mother, Mandy Beck, expressed deep gratitude to the Towlers for their life-saving actions.

The award was presented by Business Manager Brad Perkins with Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols IV and Seventh District International Vice President Chris Wagner attending to celebrate this extraordinary act of humanity. The Towlers' courage and compassion exemplify the spirit of the IBEW community, reminding us all of the profound impact of quick thinking and selflessness in the face of tragedy.

Brad Perkins, B.M./F.S.

L.U. 1340 (i&o), NEWPORT NEWS, VA — Our local and the Hampton Roads JATC held a combined graduation and service awards banquet Oct. 4 at the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton, Va. About 150 members, family and others related to the industry attended, along with several elected officials who support labor interests. We were pleased that Rep. Robert Scott (D-Va., 3rd District) was able to attend and share some insights.

Top-grade awards went to James Hagin (first year), Nicholas Bowman (second year), Lamarr Burnett (third year) and Renee Perry (fourth year). Class of 2024 graduates include Eric Auston, Michael Baker, Jason Cibrin, Hunter Csicseri, Jennifer DaSilva, Bryant Jackson, Joshua Leote, Daniel McKinlay, Brittany Miller, Nathan Moyer, Malik Nolder, Renee Perry, Hunter Ruder, Samuel Snow, Dominick Thomas and Jacob Vera. Congratulations and best wishes to them all!

Service pins were also given to members to recognize years of membership, with 50-year pins to Michael Fulgham and Frank Keene and a 55-year pin to Raynard Wood.

We regret to report the passing of Dennis Barbour (Oct. 12), Richard Adams (Oct. 24) and Calvin Saunders (Nov. 10).

Jim Avery, P.S.

L.U. 1900 (so&u), WASHINGTON, DC — IBEW member Rick Giammaria, senior staff photographer at Potomac Electric Power Co. (Pepco), was celebrated with a retrospective of his photography at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery in the closing weeks of 2024.

Local 1900 President/Business Manager/Financial Secretary Jerry R. Williford Jr., colleagues and family members praised Giammaria's photographs, work ethic and personality at the exhibit's Nov. 13 opening reception. The exhibit featured 50 of his favorite photos, culled from thousands he shot for three Pepco Holdings utilities during 35 years at Pepco.

His theme was how people who work for Pepco, Atlantic City Electric and Delmarva Power respond to crises.

One was taken on Thanksgiving weekend in 2022 when a small plane crashed into a Pepco transmission tower in Maryland, leaving 85,000 people without power and two people injured inside a crumpled plane 100 feet above ground. Giammaria captured emergency responders, Local 1900 workers and Pepco contractors at the scene conferring about the forthcoming rescue effort's safe execution. "That's a pretty powerful photo that everyone seems to respond to," he said.

His photos spotlight the need for utilities to respond quickly to catastrophes and restore customers' power safely in harsh, even dangerous, conditions.

"I really want people to understand the professionalism of the employees," Giammaria says.

Jerry R. Williford Jr., B.M./F.S.