January/February 2017
EWMC (Electrical Workers Minority Caucus)
EWMC Attends 27th Annual Leadership Conference
From January 11 to January 15, 2017, we attended the EWMC 27th Annual National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California. This year the conference theme was “Building a Better World Together.” Five hundred delegates from IBEW locals across the United States and Canada were present.
We were proud to represent Local 25 by fully participating in all conference activities. On Thursday we joined over 300 delegates participating in a day of community service. We went to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, helping to sort over 10,000 pounds of potatoes and 22,000 pounds of food. Other volunteers worked at the Orange County Food Bank and at several projects for Veteran’s First, an organization that provides housing for disabled veterans.
At Friday morning’s Plenary Session, IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson gave the keynote address. He spoke about his vision for the future of the IBEW. He stated that there will be severe consequences for the labor movement as a whole, as a result of the outcome of last November’s election. He said that the power of labor is in solidarity and that it is the job of ALL IBEW members to fight bias. He fi nished his remarks by saying that we are resolved, focused and unified in our desire to grow the IBEW and that to do so, we must provide paths of opportunity for ALL workers.
His address was followed by the Construction Caucus. The focus was on the Code of Excellence and the fi ve values at the heart of the Code – SPARQ (Safety, professionalism, Accountability, Relationships and Quality). Delegates shared their experiences with the Code on job sites, especially as it concerned the contractors upholding their side of bargain. It was recommended that every IBEW member complete Code of Excellence training.
In the afternoon session, Trade Unionist Bill Fletcher gave a powerful presentation
on “Building a Strong Labor Movement in the Trump Era.” He talked about how we need to change our tactics if we hope to survive the oncoming Republican legislative onslaught. He said that we as the labor movement are in a fi ght for our lives and that we need to get in our politician’s faces and make them uncomfortable, so that they have no choice but to do what we as workers need.
Saturday morning there were three panel discussions. Topics were Immigration Justice, Environmental Justice and Reaching Back & Lifting Up where programs to help convicted felons who have served their time re-enter the workforce via the construction trades were discussed.
There were seven workshops presented on Saturday afternoon on topics ranging from “Race, Inclusion and Labor” to “Traveling the Pathway of the IBEW.” We each attended two workshops and were able to have at least one of our members attend each of the seven workshops presented. This allowed us to share the information we learned with each other.
At Saturday evening’s EWMC Awards Scholarship Dinner Dance Gala, Davi Pena, son of our member David Pena, was awarded the EWMC’s annual college scholarship. Way to go, Davi!
We returned home reenergized and with a new resolve to work together as a committee to achieve vital short term and long term goals in Local 25, the IBEW, the labor movement and our communities. BUT WE CAN’T DO IT ALONE!
We extend an invitation to EVERY Brother and Sister in Local 25 – ALL divisions and ALL classifi cations – to join us for our monthly meeting at 5 PM on the last Thursday of every month. Anyone in good standing as an IBEW member is encouraged to become a member of the EWMC.
We are an inclusive organization. We do not discriminate based on race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identification, religion or political belief.
THERE ARE DARK DAYS AHEAD. DON’T FORGET
- IN SOLIDARITY THERE IS STRENGTH!
Darlene Ross Brandoff
Chapter President, EWMC NY Region Chapter