From left to right, back row: Joe Sanchez, Phil Wiltens, Teofilio Freeman, and Trevor Robertson. Front row: Sandi Busse, Kathy Polido, IBEW 9th District International Rep Charlie Randall, Lloyd Cargo, Phuong Tran, and Ricardo Hernandez at the Inter-Union Gas Conference in Niagra Falls

A diverse delegation of IBEW 1245 members attended the Inter-Union Gas Conference in Niagra Falls in late October. This unique conference brings together gas workers from the IBEW, as well as International Chemical Workers Union Council (ICWUC), United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), United Steelworkers (USW), Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) and UNIFOR (a Canadian utility union) for an action-packed four-day conference.

This year’s conference theme was “Protecting Gas Workers’ Mental Health and Wellness,” and featured a variety of speakers who touched on a number of health-related issues, including tough topics such as suicide prevention. The members also participated in workshops broken out by line of business (clerical, distribution, service, and storage/transmission/field), where they were able to delve into some of the challenges and successes they experience in their particular work environments.

“Attending this conference has defiantly opened my eyes to get involved and do more with my union,” said IBEW 1245 member Teofilo Freeman.

Representing Local 1245 at the conference were members Joe Sanchez, Phil Wiltens, Teofilio Freeman,  Trevor Robertson, Sandi Busse, Kathy Polido, Phuong Tran, Ricardo Hernandez, Troy Callahan, Lou Campagna, PJ Doherty, Rich Eisenbeiss, David Holtz, David Keef, Marty Kumle, Leo Lopez, Steve Lange, Marty Marshall, and Carson McAtee, along with IBEW 1245 staffers Adam Weber, Lloyd Cargo and Dennis Seyfer.