“Fired Up and Ready to Go” — IBEW 1245 Organizing Stewards Inducted

Nearly 100 IBEW 1245 organizing stewards gathered at the Sunrise Center in Vacaville, where they were inducted into the Class of 2024 at the first IBEW 1245 Advisory Council meeting of the year.

“These are 1245’s shock troops who door knock, phone bank, fill the hearing halls, and city halls to defend the interests of our members,” declared 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean. “ Thank you for what we do.”

This year marks the tenth anniversary of 1245’s award-winning organizing steward program.  Launched in 2014 following  successful organizing campaigns for NV Energy retirees and PG&E clerical members, IBEW 1245 organizing stewards have won national recognition for their organizing, political education, and solidarity with sister locals.

“Ten years is a big accomplishment,” said IBEW 1245 President Cecelia De La Torre. “{In 2014} we started with only 28; here we are right now with 119.”

This year’s organizing stewards hail from PG&E, NV Energy, SMUD, the City of Vallejo, Merced Irrigation District, Modesto Irrigation District, the City of Lompoc, and Trayer Manufacturing. The group includes both active and retired IBEW members who will be on the front lines as IBEW 1245 defends its work and contracts; mobilizes for local, state, and federal elections; continue its internal organizing blitz in the City of Vallejo; and ramps up organizing efforts at manufacturing facilities in both California and Nevada.

Assistant Business Manager Rene Cruz Martinez, who took over the program in 2021 from veteran organizers Fred Ross and Eileen Purcell, celebrated this year’s class, calling them “one of our strongest groups ever.” He recognized the stellar organizing team which has staffed the work, including Organizers Charlotte Stevens and Rick Thompson, also with Organizing Stewards Que Thompson and Donny Davis who are filling in as temporary staffers.

***

As 1245 President De la Torre prepared to administer the oath, the Organizing Stewards each raised their hands. Together, they proudly pledged to “further the purposes for which the IBEW is instituted, with a focus on educating and mobilizing our members and the larger community to support worker organization and the recognition of worker’s rights and dignity.”

In keeping with tradition, Cruz Martinez introduced lead Organizing Steward Serena Moss to share her speech on behalf of the 2024 Class. Moss, a 19-year member of IBEW 1245 and meter technician at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), shared the union difference in her family’s life.

“In 2004, I was hired as an apprentice Meter Tech at SMUD and journeyed out in 2008,” she said. “Because of my union-negotiated pay, I qualified for a mortgage, and bought a home. My sole union job helped two women {me and my mom} become homeowners.”

Moss closed her remarks saying, “I want to thank IBEW 1245 for the countless opportunities to have a voice and be active in my union. Thank you to the organizing team for empowering us to be leaders at work and in our communities. We are ready and will stay ready for the fights and challenges ahead. We are fired up and ready to go!”