Local 1245 Joins 26th Annual National Meeting of the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus

by Rebecca Band

Thirty-seven delegates from IBEW Local 1245 (including Executive Board members and staff) travelled to New York City to participate in the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) 26^th Annual National Meeting, which took place Jan. 14-17 at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.

“As a first-time delegate at this year’s 2016 EWMC Conference in NYC, I was honored to be selected as one of the members to represent our Local,” said IBEW 1245 member Theresa Buchanan. “Nothing I’ve experienced beforehand could prepare me for what I was about to be a part of.”

“This has been one of the best conferences that I have attended. I love the way all of our brothers and sisters from all over the U.S and Canada come together for this conference,” said IBEW 1245 Organizing Steward and EWMC veteran Rene Cruz Martinez. “The brotherhood and sisterhood is definitely felt because everyone treats each other with respect and everyone is always so nice to one another.”

The EWMC conference kicked off with a “Day of Giving,” and all the delegates spent time volunteering at various locations and charities around New York.

For Buchanan, the community service day was particularly inspiring.

“My team’s service project was held at St. Joan of Arc Church in the Bronx. That’s where a group of nearly 25 EWMC volunteers — lea by members of Local 3 — worked tirelessly to paint a large community room in need of a little TLC,” said Buchanan. “As the day concluded, I was able to talk to other brothers and sisters about how gratifying it was to give back to a community that needed our help, and the lasting impression we’d made in that parish.”

“I had the opportunity to volunteer at Operation Exodus, which provides students from surrounding schools with an after school program, tutoring and a place to wait for their parents while they get off work,” said Martinez. “We got to paint three rooms for them while others also did some electrical work. It felt good to complete our tasks, and on our way out, we got to see about 15 kids come into the premises after school. I felt a great sense of accomplishment seeing these kids come here. I know somehow they would appreciate what we did for them.”

“As union members, we are very fortunate, so I feel participating in the Day of Service was just one of the ways in which we can give back to our communities,” said IBEW 1245 Recording Secretary Rachel Ramirez-Hill, who also attended the EWMC conference for the first time this year. “I hope that in the future, we will be able to grow volunteerism within our Local.”

The conference featured several engaging workshops and notable speakers, including community activists, faith leaders, elected officials, public advocates and several figureheads from the IBEW.

International President Lonnie Stephenson announced his goal to double the number of Business Manager’ who attend the EWMC conference and increase the number of International Vice Presidents as well.  He reminded delegates of how important the EWMC is to the IBEW, and aspires to make the IBEW more diverse while also promoting the next generation of younger workers.

Third District International Vice President Don Siegel, a long-time EWMC delegate and supporter, challenged delegates to hold their Union leadership accountable for increasing diversity in their Locals.  Brother Siegel also reminded delegates that the top leadership of the IBEW should reflect its membership. Local 11 Business Manager Marvin Kropke spoke to first-time delegates at the New Member Orientation, and issued the same challenge to them.

“All who spoke had stories to tell about how unions have made an impact in their lives, both personally and professionally. The most memorable speaker was Sister Robbie Sparks, EWMC President Emeritus. She was most poignant as she told of her struggles from the civil rights movement, to workers’ rights, and how her work is never-ending,” said Buchanan. “Both current EWMC President Keith Edwards, and IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson delivered an inspirational message of leadership and solidarity within the Union that brought everyone to their feet.”

For many attendees, the most emotional part of the conference took place on the second day, when the delegates had the opportunity to tour the 9/11 Memorial.

“Being at Ground Zero, where more than 2,500 people lost their lives, and seeing remnants of what used to be elevator tags, guns encased in molten cement, and missing person fliers forced me reflect on the importance of my life,” said Buchanan. “It was heart breaking to hear accounts from loved ones of that fateful day, and how their lives have forever changed. The tribute Local 3 made to their fallen comrades atop the Freedom Tower is a sentiment we have for one another – we are more than union members, we are an extension of family.”

The third day of the conference began with elections for the EWMC officers, Executive Board and Young Workers Board. IBEW Local 1245’s own Office Manager, Tonya Alston, who had previously been serving as an At-Large member of the EWMC Executive Committee, was elected to serve as its National Secretary.

That afternoon, IBEW Local 1245 Staff Organizer Jammi Juarez helped lead a workshop of leadership communication styles, and 1245 Organizing Steward Lorenso Arciniega served as one of the panelists during an in-depth discussion of LGBTQI issues in the union and the workplace.

“It makes me proud to see the EWMC step up to the plate on the LGBTQ issues,” said Martinez. “I was happy to see some of our brothers and sisters come up to the stage and share the struggles that the LGBTQ community faces on a daily basis at job sites and sometimes within their locals. I know there is still a lot of work to be done within our locals, but the EWMC has definitely set the bar for IBEW locals to follow.”

The conference concluded with an Awards Dinner, where Local 1245 presented EWMC with a donation for $10,000.

“I wanted to thank IBEW 1245 for giving me the honor of attending my first EWMC Conference. This was truly an amazing experience,” said IBEW 1245 Executive Board Recording Secretary Rachel Ramirez-Hill.  “I have been to a few other conferences on behalf of the Union but this one really stands out ahead of the rest.”

“Attending this conference has been life changing for me in so many ways. The experience not only humbled me, but ignited a strong passion and renewed belief in the Brother and Sisterhood of the IBEW,” said Buchanan. “I was fortunate to have met so many strong union men and women, from all walks of life, and was proud to be among them!”

Tonya Alston contributed to this report.