E Pluribus Unum
L.U. 1 (as,c,ees,ei,em,es,et,fm,i,mt,rts,s,se,spa,st,ws&ptc), ST. LOUIS, MO — Happy autumnal equinox, brothers and sisters. We are approaching the most important November election of our lifetime. This administration is making new rules concerning OSHA and how workers can access the protection and guidance that OSHA provides. The new hoops and roadblocks add time or technicalities that prevent affected workers from qualifying for protection.
With all of these negative developments, there are still those members who refuse to educate themselves. They would rather be an ostrich and stick their head in the sand before they acknowledge the naked assault on unionized workers that this administration is carrying out.
Please engage in this election. Seek out union-friendly candidates who will give us a fair chance in the marketplace. When we have even odds, the worker wins.
Your local needs your help. YOU are the “u” in this union. United we stand, divided we fall.
Kyle Hunter, P.S.
New Jobs, New Contracts, Stronger Benefits
L.U. 11 (i,rts,spa&em), LOS ANGELES, CA — Greetings, brothers and sisters. Our local continues to move forward with important wins and new opportunities for our membership.
We are proud to announce the new self-directed defined-contribution plan, which gives members another tool to help them plan for their future and strengthen their retirement security.
Local 11 is also proud of the job opportunities being created at the Los Angeles Convention Center. These projects mean more work for our members and continued growth for union labor at one of the city’s most important public facilities. Our civil service members at the Convention Center have secured a new contract that protects wages, benefits and working conditions.
We are proud to share a historic win for Local 11: For the first time in our history, our sound and communications members have a new defined-benefit plan, beginning July 1. This milestone strengthens long-term retirement security for our members and their families.
These accomplishments show what is possible when members stay united and engaged. Local 11 remains committed to fighting for strong contracts, good jobs and secure retirements.
Work safe and stay united.
Alex Flores, P.S.
Local 15 Members Attend Union Night at the Ballpark
L.U. 15 (u), DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Local members and their families came together for an evening of baseball as they attended union night during the Chicago White Sox game against the Kansas City Royals on June 26.
The event provided a great opportunity for Local 15 members to connect outside of the workplace, root for the White Sox and celebrate the solidarity that makes our union strong. Throughout the evening, Local 15 members proudly represented the Brotherhood while enjoying America’s pastime alongside fellow union members from across the region.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the evening a success. We look forward to seeing even more Local 15 members at future events.
When Local 15 members stand together, whether at work or in the community, we demonstrate the solidarity that powers our union.
Bradley Gritt, Bus. Rep.
Local 17’s Picnic and Tree Jamboree
L.U. 17 (catv,em,lctt,o&u), DETROIT, MI — For years, our local has spearheaded efforts to promote the value of IBEW apprenticeships for line clearance tree trimmers. In 2009, Local 17 established one of the first Department of Labor-registered LCTT apprenticeship programs within the IBEW. Boot camps and apprentice classes are conducted at our state-of-the-art training center.
On June 27, we held the annual Local 17 Picnic and Tree Jamboree at our training center, where more than 400 members and their families came out for a day filled with competition and camaraderie. The event included a kids’ fishing tournament led by our RENEW Committee.
This climbing competition gives our members the opportunity to showcase their skills in five events: work climb, belayed speed climb, ascent event, throwline and aerial rescue. The competition is split between a journeyman division and an apprentice division. The winners in each division will proudly represent Local 17 at the Michigan Tree Climbing Championship in September at Emerson Park in Midland.
Congratulations to the following journeyman division winners: Jacob Johns (first place), Steven Ursic (second place) and Dillon Rose (third place).
In the apprentice division, congratulations go to Nate Willoughby (first place), Brennen Boyl (second place) and Drew Tarsney (third place).
James Shaw, B.M.
Buffalo Bills Stadium Completion
L.U. 41 (em,es,govt,i,se&spa), BUFFALO, NY — The Buffalo Bills are getting ready to host their first regular season game at their new state-of-the-art facility in Orchard Park. The new Highmark Stadium officially opened June 23 and was the largest construction project ever completed in western New York.
We would like to thank all our Local 41 brothers and sisters as well as those who traveled from other locals to help us complete the project. From the control systems under the natural grass field to the heat trace on the roof, the IBEW worked on every system in the building. There were more than 400 IBEW members working at the stadium, equating to more than 1 million labor hours, or approximately 20% of the total workforce hours on the project. Without the dedication, hard work and sacrifice of our members, this project would not have been completed professionally and on time.
Local 41 held its elections in June, and we congratulate all our new officers. We would like to thank every member who ran for office, along with everyone who took the time to come out and vote. For a union to remain strong, it needs its membership to show up and participate.
Matthew M. Gaiser, A.B.M.
Congratulations to the CNY ETA Class of 2026!
L.U. 43 (em,i&rts), SYRACUSE, NY — Congratulations to our fifth-year apprentices who have successfully completed the apprenticeship program! Thanks to our collaboration with Mohawk Valley Community College, the graduates also earned an associate degree in occupational studies in electrical service technician/electrical maintenance. They had the opportunity to proudly walk the stage at Memorial Auditorium in Utica on May 15 to receive their diplomas.
Congratulations to the class of 2026: Jack Bailey, Brevyn Barnhart, Samantha Bentley, Ryan Brennan, Riley Burhans, Steven Carpenter, Kyle Collins, Jacob Colvin, Anna Cummings, Sean Dalton, Colin Decker, Zachary Esser, Daniel Faherty, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Nicholas Gernhardt, David Gotman, Nathan Grinnell, Griffin Iskander, Jacob Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Kevin Joyce, Brad Kohler, Connor Macko, Isaac Meschke, Matthew Morgan, Ryan Newman, Brandon Paolozzi, Hailey Parker, Matthew Schreib, Trevor Sikorski, Augustus Skinner, Kevin Smith, Nicholas Stapleton, Thomas Sterling, Eric Sykora, Kyshaun Townsend, Marcus Walker, Conner Ware, Richard Weber, Steven Wentworth, Joshua Wilcox, Eliott Wright and Thomas Zenon.
Jeff Cassano, P.S.
Work Safe, Live Safe
L.U. 51 (catv,lctt,o,ptc,rtb,t,u&uow), SPRINGFIELD, IL — The local’s annual scholarship golf outing in June was once again a huge success! We awarded nine college scholarships this year, to Erin Brown, Baylee Bunn, Blane Canada, Haley Carlton, Samuel Evans, Mackenzie Frazee, Allison Sarginson, Whitney Yoder and Sophie Wethington. Congratulations, all.
Shout out to the first-place team of Mark Clemens, Marcus Gregory, Corey Schroder and Jason Scoles!
We’d like to thank the following sponsors for their generosity, as well: IBEW Locals 134 and 702, Heartland Bank and Trust, Stephen P. Kelley Attorney at Law, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Lowder Governmental Solutions.
IBEW members demonstrate excellence in observing safety protocols, but the rising numbers of dangerous incidents nationally serves as a reminder not to cut corners. We want to remind our members that working safely means following established procedures, using the proper equipment and staying aware of potential hazards to prevent injuries.
Safety is not an individual responsibility but a shared commitment. Never cut corners, and exercise your contractual rights to refuse unsafe work without fear of retaliation. Looking out for one another and making safe decisions every day helps ensure that every brother and sister returns home safely to their family.
Karlene Knisley, Bus. Rep.
Leadership, Brotherhood and Progress at Local 71
L.U. 71 (lctt,o&rtb), COLUMBUS, OH — Our local held its officer and executive board elections in June. The winners are as follows: Business Manager/Financial Secretary Todd Kessler; President Calvin Martin; Vice President Dirk Dozer; Treasurer Kurt Williams; Recording Secretary James Roessner; and Executive Board members Matt Bruggeman, Cody Davis, Jake Hostetler, Mitch McCloskey and Derrick Vansickle.
We thank all the candidates who were willing to serve and every member who took the time to vote. Congratulations to all those elected. They were sworn in to office and began their three-year terms July 21.
Local 71 also hosted a successful side-by-side/ATV ride at Wildcat Off-Road Park in Kentucky and our annual spring golf outing at Snow Hill Golf Club. Both events saw strong member participation and showcased the camaraderie and brotherhood that make our local strong. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, sponsors and everyone who participated. Due to their success, both events will return later this year. Keep an eye on our social media pages and your email for additional information.
Work throughout the Local 71 jurisdiction remains strong, with several major projects underway and additional work expected to begin soon. Construction also continues on our new meeting hall and training facility behind the union office. At the time of this writing, all underground work had been completed and concrete is being poured.
On behalf of the officers and executive board, thank you to our membership for your professionalism, dedication and commitment to working safely every day. The strength and success of Local 71 comes from its members, and its future remains very bright because of them.
James Roessner, R.S.
Local 99’s Cars and Coffee
L.U. 99 (govt&i), PROVIDENCE, RI — On May 31, our local hosted its third annual Cars and Coffee at the union hall. This year, however, was a bit different.
Local 99 donated over half of the earnings to the National Kidney Disease Foundation. We were able to fundraise a $1,700 donation to support 23-year-old Brother Brandon Ciampanelli, who has played a huge role in making the car show such a successful event.
Brandon was diagnosed with kidney disease and recently received a kidney transplant. After a period of recovery, he returned to work in June. Brother Ciampanelli was in attendance at this year’s Cars and Coffee and even served as a judge!
Sidney Jablonski, P.S.
An Evening of Honor: Local 103 Recognizes Dedicated Members
L.U. 103 (cs,i&ptc), BOSTON, MA — On June 4, our local’s JATC apprenticeship program celebrated the graduation of more than 275 apprentices. These graduates completed five years of rigorous training and are now advancing as skilled union electricians and technicians, strengthening the workforce and the future of the electrical industry.
On June 16, Local 103 proudly hosted its 49th annual pin-night celebration, honoring members with commemorative pins and certificates in recognition of their years of dedicated service and commitment to the Brotherhood.
The evening brought members, families and friends together to celebrate the hard work and contributions of those reaching significant service milestones. It was a night filled with pride, laughter and camaraderie as we recognized the people who have helped build the strength and legacy of Local 103.
Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees, and thank you for your years of service and dedication. Here’s to continuing our tradition of excellence for generations to come.
James Fleming, P.S.
Benefit Golf Classic Celebrates 29 Years of Giving Back
L.U. 125 (lctt,o,t,u&ptc), PORTLAND, OR — The Benefit Golf Classic is a community-supported fundraiser led by dedicated volunteers to help advance burn care and prevention efforts throughout Oregon and southwest Washington.
Now in its 29th year, the event is made possible through the continued support of longtime partners including PacifiCorp, Local 125, Portland General Electric, Northwest Natural and OPEIU Local 11.
Funds raised from the tournament support the Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, which provides specialized care to more than 1,000 patients each year and offers critical education and burn prevention programs. Since the tournament began, it has generated more than $1.76 million to support these efforts.
Guided by committed volunteers and longtime leader Gene Daily, the Benefit Golf Classic continues to strengthen burn care, promote innovation and expand injury prevention programs through the power of community partnership and a shared commitment to helping others.
Travis Eri, B.M./F.S.
NWEJATC First VEEP Graduation
L.U. 191 (c,i,mo,rtb&st), EVERETT, WA — The Northwest Washington Electrical Industry JATC and Training Director Rob Bartel proudly announce the successful completion of its first VEEP cohort. Instructor Krystal McCann led this cohort, emphasizing technical skills, safety, professionalism and work ethic.
This program consisted of five weeks of in-class instruction, hands-on labs and intensive online learning. Eleven graduates were honored at a completion ceremony and will enter the following IBEW-NECA affiliated programs:
- NWEJATC (four)
- Puget Sound Electrical JATC (four)
- Southwest Washington Electrical JATC (two)
- Columbia Basin Electrical Training Alliance (one)
These placements highlight VEEP’s strong regional reach and workforce impact.
VEEP is a nationally recognized pre-apprenticeship connecting servicemembers and veterans to careers in the electrical trade. Developed by the Electrical Training Alliance, the program provides foundational knowledge, hands-on training and preparation for registered apprenticeships.
VEEP is supported by the Electrical Training Alliance, Milwaukee Tool, the IBEW and NECA. The NWEJATC remains committed to programs that support veterans and strengthen the electrical workforce.
Big thanks to John Cambell, the Electrical Training Institute of San Diego, the staff at NWEJATC and all others who helped make our first VEEP graduating class a huge success!
Randy Curry, B.M./F.S.
Local 223 Targets Small Works/Residential Market
L.U. 223 (em,govt&i), BROCKTON, MA — To reconnect with a segment of the southeastern Massachusetts market that has long been overlooked due to the focus on large power-plant and utility projects in our area, we have been working to sign more small works and residential contractors. We are pleased to welcome Rich Burbank, who is a 20-plus-year member of Local 223, as our newest signatory contractor, Burbank Electrical. Our local looks forward to a long and successful relationship between Local 223 and Burbank Electric.
In other local news, retirees, journeymen and apprentices volunteered on a South Shore Habitat for Humanity job in Easton, Mass., last winter. This was a great way to give back to the local community while providing some residential electrical hands-on experience for the apprentices. Thanks to all who participated — great job!
Jeff Plaisted, Bus. Rep.
Summer Heat, Union Pride: Local 245 Highlights
L.U. 245 (govt,lctt,o,rtb&u), TOLEDO, OH — I hope everyone is ready for a break from the summer heat and looking forward to some fall temperatures. At Local 245, our membership and their families gathered in August for our ninth annual Toledo Mud Hens baseball game under the lights. The turnout was great, and it was nice seeing our brothers and sisters shed their hard hats and work boots for some much-needed relaxation.
Local 245 congratulates Robert Hernandez on joining the staff as an assistant business manager/field representative. Rob was initiated into the union in May 2007 and is an outside journeyman lineman. He was appointed to the executive board in March 2022, and he became a union steward three years later. We’re excited to have Rob aboard to support our growing membership.
At the time of this writing, we are working on a few negotiations, and our outside construction work remains very busy with numerous projects. We hope to see you at the September union meeting. As local elections approach, your participation matters more than ever. Remember to work safely and uphold the IBEW Code of Excellence.
Brian Gendaszek, P.S.
Local 257 Graduating Class of 2026
L.U. 257 (em,i,rtb,rts,spa&t), JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Our local would like to congratulate the newest journeymen in the class of 2026: Mike Arnold, Blake Bailey, John Becker, Jose Cardenas, Christopher Dunn, Jonathon Gabaldon, Mikel Hatfield, Jack Higgins, Christian James, Lane Mahan, Lucas Mahon, Collin Maharas, Nash Quick, Jat Ridenhour, Ben Roberts, David Scarborough, Preston Schilpp, Tristan Schrimpf, Brendon Smith, Zachery Teiberis and Salvatore Vladeff. Local 257 wishes you the brightest futures in the trade!
Joel Vanderslice, B.M.
Annual Appreciation for Local 269 Retirees
L.U. 269 (i&o), TRENTON, NJ — Spring in central New Jersey is always a welcome time of year. Warmer weather, longer days, fishing and family excursions all make for a long-anticipated break from winter. However, there is one event specific to our local membership that truly marks the change of seasons, and that is the annual retirees’ dinner. Well attended by nearly 350 brothers and sisters, this year’s dinner featured an open bar, raw bar, antipasto table, top-notch food and even made available custom-rolled cigars.
Retirees were honored with service pins and 30-year watches to show the local’s appreciation for all the years of hard work and dedication, which keep the local thriving so that we all may share in its continuing success.
This event is more than just dinner and drinks with friends. It is a testament to what we all can achieve by sticking together and standing up for each other through good times and bad. And believe me when I say that the retirees’ dinner is definitely a good time.
Brian Jacoppo, P.S.
California, Here We Come
L.U. 343 (i,spa&st), LE SUEUR, MN — Congratulations to our local’s negotiating committee! The majority of members voted to accept the contract proposal after the second round. Our collective bargaining agreement is typically in force for three years. We all should be familiar with the language. It’s the rule book between the local and the contractors we work with.
The IBEW Constitution is the second rule book we should understand. It establishes the rules for local unions under the jurisdiction of the International Office. The Constitution is in force, as published, for five years. Every fifth year, the International Convention is held to address any changes to be made to the Constitution. Delegates representing every local union in North America will be in attendance to vote on amendments to the Constitution.
This year, the 41st International Convention will convene in San Diego during the week of Sept. 21. Local 343 will be sending four delegates — the business manager, the president and two rank-and-file members. The number of delegates allowed is based on the local’s membership count. The rank-and-file delegates and alternates were selected by ballot at the last election of officers.
Buy Made In USA — it feels good.
Tom Small, P.S.
Local 351 Proudly Represented at the NSUJL Lineman Rodeo
L.U. 351 (c,cs,i,it,lctt,mt,o,se,spa&t), FOLSOM, NJ — Our local was proudly represented at the NSUJL Lineman Rodeo, held June 26-27 in Hazleton, Pa.
On Friday evening, participants gathered for a moving lantern ceremony to honor our fallen brothers, and among those honored were Local 351 Brothers Michael Higgins and Ralph Carfagno. Their memory and dedication to the trade continue to inspire the next generation of linemen.
On Saturday, six Local 351 line apprentices — Francisco Ambert, Richard King, Jonathan Lindquist Jr., Conner Meehan, Joshua Salmons and Shane Stack — demonstrated their knowledge, skill and professionalism in the skills competition.
Local 351 was also represented by Journeyman Lineman Anthony Bojarski, Louis Jiacopello III and Jonathan Lindquist Sr., who volunteered their time and expertise as judges for the competition.
We commend all of our linemen apprentices for their hard work and dedication, and we extend our sincere appreciation to our journeyman linemen for giving back to the trade by helping evaluate and mentor the next generation of journeyman linemen.
Congratulations to everyone who represented Local 351 with professionalism, pride and brotherhood. Your commitment reflects the values and traditions that make our union strong.
Ryck Signor, P.S.
Local 353 Elects Bill Acorn
L.U. 353 (as,c,i&o), Toronto, ON — Congratulations to our newly elected Business Manager/Financial Secretary Bill Acorn. Thank you to outgoing Business Manager Lee Caprio. Brother Acorn has lots of experience with Local 353 as a high-rise business representative and recording secretary over many years. So while Bill is new to the business manager position, he is well known to many in our local from his years of service.
Summer is here, and Canadians are taking advantage of the great weather! In June, Toronto took part in hosting the FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), which brought 250,000 fans into the city to watch the matches. Some of our ongoing projects in the city are the Ontario Subway Line Expansion, Union Station renovations, various data centres, hospital expansions, and the SMR nuclear facilities being built at Pickering and Darlington Ontario Power Generation sites.
Local 353’s many summer events include the family picnic at Cedar Park Resort in Bowmanville on Aug. 22, the annual Labour Day Parade to the Exhibition Grounds on Sept. 7 and the local’s golf tournament to be held in Ajax at the Deer Creek Golf Club on Sept 20. Summer is short but sweet up here in the First District.
Paul Shrimpton, Bus. Rep.
Recognizing and Remembering
L.U. 449 (catv,em,i,o,rtb,rts,spa,u&mt), POCATELLO, ID — Brothers and sisters, I hope everyone is having a great summer.
I would like to recognize the members who received service pins for 50-plus years of service to the IBEW at our annual local picnic: Richard Packard and Robert (Steve) Ray (50 years); Richard Knudson, Arlyn McCulloch, Charles Mitchel and Leon Thrall (55 years); Donald Depew, Ronald Eveleigh and Larry Kitzmiller (60 years); and Lyle Carson (65 years). Congratulations to all!
I would also like to congratulate our recent retirees: Leola Duke, Allen Frisk, Glen Gruver, Mike Miera and Neil Tillotson. You have earned it! Best of wishes to all of you.
In memoriam: Terry M. Cobbley. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.
Clay Hirning, B.M.
Local 479 Congratulates its Largest Class Ever
L.U. 479 (i&u), BEAUMONT, TX — Our local is proud to announce the graduation of its largest-class ever at our JATC, 51 students in all. Thanks and respect go out for the hard work and perseverance of the graduates, our dedicated teachers, and Training Director Billy Griffin and his staff. These students really are the future!
In other news, we are entering into contract negotiations at the time of this writing. We have had some great ideas suggested by the membership and plan to see beneficial decisions from the negotiations. We continue to see an uptick in instrumentation calls as our local is designated by the ICEA to refer instrument techs in the state of Texas.
We wish all of our brothers and sisters a safe Labor Day, and happy 250th to everyone!
Mark Jacobson, P.S.
Building the Future of Local 481
L.U. 481 (ees,em,i,mt,rts,s&spa), INDIANAPOLIS, IN — As our apprenticeship program grows, our local is offering more ways for apprentices to make the most of their membership from the start. Recent work-ready orientation classes brought in more than 70 new apprentices at once. Business Manager Jeff Wheeler and other Local 481 representatives use these sessions to welcome apprentices and share the many benefits and opportunities the union provides.
This summer, the Electrical Workers Benefit Trust Fund held a health fair for apprentices at the Electrical Training Institute. More than 400 apprentices completed their annual health screenings. These screenings help members qualify for a lower deductible and catch health issues early. Hosting the event at the training center made it easy for apprentices to take advantage of this important benefit.
The Local 481 Women’s Committee held an apprentice rights and responsibilities session at the union hall. The room was full of apprentices eager to learn about their rights, responsibilities and what it means to be an active IBEW member. It was inspiring to see so many apprentices interested and engaged.
When apprentices get involved early, everyone benefits. These apprentices are building more than a career — they are building the future of Local 481.
Jeff Wheeler, B.M./F.S.
Local 483 Peanut Butter Drive
L.U. 483 (catv,lctt,o&u), TACOMA, WA — This year marks the 16th anniversary of our local’s peanut butter drive. Our goal this year was to collect enough jars to reach a cumulative total of 100,000 jars donated since we started this drive 16 years ago.
We are proud to announce that not only did we exceed that goal, but we also came within just 800 jars of surpassing our highest single-year collection. This year’s total reached 11,257 jars, bringing our grand total to an incredible 104,178 jars donated over the life of the drive.
During this year’s collection, we also had the privilege of presenting the first of our new Local 483 challenge coins to longtime member Ken Severe in recognition of his years of dedicated service to the local. Ken’s unwavering support and generous contributions to the peanut butter drive every year have played a significant role in its continued success.
We would also like to thank all of our members, fellow IBEW locals and individual donors for your generosity and support. Every jar of peanut butter collected is donated directly to the Emergency Food Network, helping provide food to families throughout Pierce County, Wash. Your continued commitment makes a meaningful difference in our community!
Rose Mitchell, B.M.
No Project Too Big for Local 601
L.U. 601 (i&rtb), CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, IL — The University of Illinois Fighting Illini are about to claim the crown for the largest main video display in college football. The display will be 69 by 250 feet, made up of 16 LED displays with 30 million pixels, totaling 17,315 square feet and built by union labor. By the time this article is published, the project should be completed for the 2026 college football season.
No matter how big the job, Local 601 members and various other labor unions bring seemingly impossible projects to life. We do it skillfully, safely and professionally and make good union wages with benefits. Projects like these need to continue being done by Local 601 members who know that while we’ll only get our 15 minutes of fame on the big screen, the work that we do will have a lasting impact for generations to come.
As of this writing, we have 25 on Book 1 and 14 on Book 2. Work has been steady throughout our jurisdiction, and the stadium has had regular calls for the video display. Signing the out-of-work lists will require you to sign in person or send a fax/email from reciprocating locals.
Luther Baker, P.S.
Local 611 Elections and Events
L.U. 611 (catv,es,govt,i,lctt,o,spa,t&u), ALBUQUERQUE, NM — On June 1, the local held its election, and the results are: Business Manager Alfonso “Fonze” Martinez; President Kenny Ortiz; Vice President Raymond Cantrell; Recording Secretary Jason “Hippie” Bowers; Treasurer Julio Vigil; executive board members Charles Allen, Bobby Baca, Rick Chavez, Patrick Cota Sr., Ruben Romero Jr., Levi Wilson and Robert Wilson; and examining board members Patrick Cota Jr., Austin Martinez, Jeremy Sandoval, Jesus Sandoval and Randall Yazzie. There will be nine delegates going to this year’s International Convention.
In May, we held our annual tie-dye T-shirt event, which was a huge success. It gets bigger and bigger each year, so if you’ve not yet been to one, put it on your calendar for next year.
On behalf of Local 611, I extend condolences to the families and friends of Chester Ahlgrim, Homer L. Crawford, Leslie Dudley, Joe Garcia, Robert Huber, Joseph Santillanes, Joel Valdez and John Webb III.
In the July issue, I regret to have misspelled the name of Albert T. Pohl.
Remember to attend your local and unit meetings.
Darrell J. Blair, P.S.
Congrats to the Graduating Class of 2026
L.U. 617 (c,i,mo&st), SAN MATEO, CA — Congratulations to the graduates of 2026! You are commended for your perseverance, work ethic and commitment to the electrical industry. Carry forth the proud values of Local 617, delivering reliable, skilled work while upholding the principles of unionism, safety, professionalism and integrity. The dedication to being an apprentice reflects not only personal achievement but also the enduring strength of solidarity, our union and the standards we uphold.
As the next generation of journeymen, foremen, general foremen, installers, techs and senior techs, you will also be the future leaders of the IBEW. We salute all of our graduates and those who received accolades for perfect attendance and highest GPAs via the Joe Hogan Award, Ed Towle Award and Nancy Thompson Award. The annual graduation ceremony and celebration is one of our proudest local traditions. May you all have prosperous and rewarding careers in the trade.
Scott Wein, B.M./F.S.
Pole Barns and Noble Officers
L.U. 1205 (em,govt,i,u&ptc), GAINESVILLE, FL — Remember when I told you 2026 is our local’s year of the pole barn? The pole barn has been a part of our meeting-day ritual for many months now. Thanks again to our building committee for diligently getting this project to the finish line before our Labor Day picnic!
More retirement news this year: our esteemed Business Manager Lanny Mathis has announced his retirement. Lanny has served Local 1205 in many roles since joining the IBEW in 1981, including serving on the executive board and as president, vice president and apprenticeship director. Elected business manager in 2018, Lanny has overseen growth in membership and wages that we can all be proud of.
We thank Lanny for his dedication and service to Local 1205! One lasting legacy he leaves behind is helping to start the RENEW program, which has encouraged more young members to become involved with their union.
With this retirement news, the executive board has appointed Andy Starling as acting business manager of Local 1205. Andy is a founding member of RENEW and has served on the apprenticeship committee, executive board and examining board. Since 2020, he has worked closely with Lanny as an organizer. We wish Andy the best as he leads Local 1205 into an important negotiation year.
Nicholas Mangoni, P.S.
Pittsburgh Crewing Co., Local 1347 Reach Voluntary Recognition Agreement
L.U. 1347 (ees,em,u&ptc), CINCINNATI, OH — Our local is proud to announce that Pittsburgh Crewing Co. has voluntarily recognized the IBEW as the representative of its employees working at Cincinnati’s professional soccer stadium.
This agreement will add 79 new members to Local 1347 and represents a significant victory for broadcasting professionals throughout Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh Crewing Co. demonstrated its commitment to its workforce by working cooperatively throughout the organizing process. The company values its relationship with the IBEW and continues to distinguish itself as a leader in the broadcasting and crewing industry. Its willingness to engage constructively and respect the employees’ desire for union representation reflects a strong commitment to labor-management cooperation.
We encourage IBEW local unions and employers throughout the industry to consider Pittsburgh Crewing Co. when seeking professional broadcasting crewing services. Their dedication to quality, professionalism and positive labor relations sets an example for others in the field.
This achievement strengthens the future of broadcast workers in Cincinnati and expands the IBEW’s presence in an industry that continues to grow and evolve. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to raise standards for workers across the broadcasting sector.
Congratulations to the employees of Pittsburgh Crewing Co., the organizing committee and everyone who worked to make this victory possible
Andrew Kirk, B.M./F.S.
Happy Labor Day
Local 1579 (i&o), AUGUSTA, GA — Brothers and sisters, I hope you all have enjoyed your summer and are looking forward to some cooler Georgia weather.
Our work situation remains steady. Miller is finishing up at the data center with hopes of getting the next phase. Work between all the contractors at the Savannah River Site remains healthy alongside our in-town contractors holding their own. Business Manager Richardson is constantly meeting with contractors to secure more work in the jurisdiction. Our future in Augusta is secure, and we’re excited about upcoming ventures.
“Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours, and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor.” – John F. Kennedy
Mike Greene, Pres.
Industrial Infrastructure Upgrade on the Ohio River
L.U. 1701 (catv,ees,i,o&u), OWENSBORO, KY — Our local’s electricians have successfully completed a major infrastructure upgrade at the Cargill barge unloading facility along the Ohio River.
A skilled six-member crew led by Matt Bayles conducted the technical installation of the site’s advanced conveyor system. The team included dedicated local union members Weston Bailey, Christian Combs, Robin Cornelius, Caelum Gaynor, Jacob Kissinger and Ashley Payne. Working directly on the riverfront, these professionals navigated complex marine environments to ensure the heavy-duty grain and material handling systems were wired safely and efficiently.
Rick Thurman, P.S.
