For Immediate Release: October 6, 2025
IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper issued the following statement on last week’s DOE project cancellations and the ongoing government shutdown:
“Since the government shut down last week, President Trump has made no secret that he wants to create pain for ordinary Americans in “blue states.” But the truth is, he’s harming all Americans. The more than $25 billion in canceled energy and transportation investments over the last few days have locked out thousands of IBEW members and jeopardized America’s energy future and global competitiveness. Together with the unlawful taking of government funding and his year-long campaign of threatening federal workers’ livelihoods, the president’s actions have caused lasting pain for members, their families, and the American public.
“IBEW members operate America’s power grid, build transmission lines and new electrical generation, provide electrical maintenance at naval shipyards, perform work at DOE research facilities and the Department of Veterans. In other words, the IBEW powers America. By canceling projects and locking out IBEW members in the private and public sector, the President is sending a message that their paychecks, their families, and their communities do not matter. These workers are essential to our security and should not be treated as bargaining chips. And no worker should be asked to do their job without pay while worrying about making ends meet.
“The IBEW calls on the administration to immediately reverse course on the announced ‘blue state’ project terminations and pauses and to negotiate in good faith to reopen the government. No IBEW local union would bargain with an employer that broke their word; lawmakers should not either. At a moment when our adversaries are watching closely, we cannot afford delays or dysfunction. Working people must come before political games.”
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The IBEW represents approximately 873,000 members and retirees who work in a wide variety of fields, including construction, utilities, manufacturing, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroads and government.