The IBEW members at the City of Vallejo, who voted to merge with IBEW 1245 earlier this year, are quickly discovering the increased political power and strength in numbers that comes with being part of a large and influential local.
On Wednesday, October 12, IBEW-endorsed candidates Vernon Williams III (running for Vallejo City Council) and Landis Graden (running for Vallejo Mayor) came by to visit with the Local 1245 members who work for the City.
“This is the first time that any of the IBEW members at the City of Vallejo could recall a candidate for office taking the time to meet with them,” according to Local 1245 Organizing Steward Steven Marcotte. “Now that is empowering!”
The Vallejo IBEW members have been fighting for a fair contract for many months, but progress has been blocked by a handful of anti-worker government officials at the City. This election could bring about a change in leadership that could directly impact those negotiations, and meeting the candidates face-to-face helped to motivate several members to volunteer with the union’s “Get Out the Vote” effort. They’ll be making phone calls and knocking on doors until Election Day to build support for Williams, Graden and other union-endorsed candidates.
Photos by Steven Marcotte
Vallejo Mayoral candidate Landis Graden (front center) with Local 1245 members and staffers in Vallejo
Business Rep Jennifer Gray helped Vallejo member Tom Rodgers sign up to volunteer with the union’s Get Out the Vote effort
Vallejo City Council candidate Vernon Williams III (left) with Eleanor Brown and Marcus Adams from IBEW 1245