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Looking Back and Ahead

As we approach the final year of the 20^th century, there is no doubt that 1998 was action-packed.

It was a momentous year for bargaining in the telecommunications industry, with major contracts being negotiated with AT&T, Lucent Technologies, Bell Atlantic, Ameritech and US West. We also made major strides in working more cooperatively with these companies to promote mutual goals including more educational opportunities for our members.

Organizing continued at a slow but steady pace. Virtually every branch of the Brotherhood noted some success. Our vigorous efforts in construction have helped us continue to grow, as the need for skilled workers increases. Our major campaign of 1998 was the rerun election at Baltimore Gas and Electric, which resulted from the numerous unfair labor practices committed by the company two years ago. This time we came within 120 votes out of some 3,000 cast of winning, but the results remain in legal limbo due to challenged ballots and fresh allegation of ULPs.

Politics dominated much of the agenda in the United States in 1998, with midterm elections being hard fought against the backdrop of Presidential scandal and talk of impeachment. The results of the midterm elections were a ringing message that Americans wanted attention, first and foremost, to the issues that affect their daily lives. The large labor turnout helped pro-labor candidates overcome historical trends and major obstacles to register some resounding upsets and save some staunch allies. The labor vote was especially rewarding, since 1998, also saw well organized and heavily funded efforts by the extreme elements of our society to muzzle the voice of working people through so-called "paycheck protection" measures. The defeat of Proposition 226 in California in June took the wind out of our opponents’ sails and helped trigger a resurgence of grassroots activism among union members — perhaps the most welcome development of the year.

The utility industry continued to roil in the throes of restructuring. Companies continue to seek mergers and the drive to shape change in the most favorable terms is ongoing. We were buoyed in 1998 by the defeat of the proposed merger between Potomac Electric Power Company and BGE, and the defeat in California and Massachusetts of ballot propositions that would have gutted deregulation measures allowing companies to recoup stranded costs.

In manufacturing, we made vital strides in the formulation of skills standards for that sector of the economy. However, we continued to witness the shutdown of the television manufacturing industry in the United States with major plant closing in Indiana and a potential loss in Illinois, a reminder that the fight for fair trade policies is far from over.

The good economy kept many of our construction members working steadily in the U.S. and Canada in 1998. Also, new programs to strengthen our working relationship with unionized contractors and provide high tech training for apprentices and journeymen continued moving forward.

As always, much of the good work of the IBEW was done quietly and effectively, making a positive difference in the lives of countless members. The challenge for 1999 will be to continue this basic mission. All of us across the continent must also consider the growing threat to economic security posed by the crises in Asia, Russia, and parts of South America. In an interconnected global economy, no nation is safe from the ripple effect. Our best protection is to build on our successes in 1998 to solidify our ability to thrive in the jobs of the future.

On behalf of all the officers and staff of the International, I extend our warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season and safe and healthy new year.