Celebrating Victories & Preparing for 2025

IBEW 1245’s July quarterly Advisory Council meeting kicked off at the Peppermill Hotel in Reno, NV with the swearing in of new Advisory Council member, Steve Pettigrew, Colgate Division, PG&E.

IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean recognized long term IBEW 1245 photographer, John Storey, for his 13 years of service as IBEW 1245’s photographer-in-residence.  Brother Storey has traversed California and Nevada, documenting the work of IBEW 1245 members and the many watershed moments fighting for some of the best contracts, benefits and working conditions and supporting legislation for IBEW 1245 members.

Brother Dean also recognized Business Representative Todd Wooten. Brother Wooten is retiring after a forty-year  career at 1245 and PG&E.  “Todd joined the staff 10 years ago and took the North Valley job to new level.  He’s a good friend, a hard worker, and an awesome guy.  Todd Wooten, thank you brother!” said Dean.

Wooten, who is fondly known as “Rep of the Decade” by his peers, shared,  “I started on Ad Council back in the 90s, worked the line department for 30 years in Marysville, got a call from Bob{Dean}, jumped ship, and its been a great run.  Great organization to work for. Everyone makes it a great place to work and do a lot of good for our membership.  Keep it up!”

Recent Victories & Negotiations

Turning to recent victories, Brother Dean reported on the City of Vallejo. “We just won the best contract ever at the City of Vallejo. Business Representative Kim Camatti and Senior Assistant Business Manager Al Fortier led the negotiations. We brought together our organizing side, political side, communications side and packed the City Council two times. And we won. Congratulations to Al and Kim for a job well done!”

In addition, 2024 has witnessed extraordinary legislative victories and advances resolving differences with other labor unions.  A hard-won settlement with the Operating Engineers 3 that promotes unity is near completion thanks to the tenacious work of Brother Dean, Senior Assistant Business Manager Ralph Armstrong and IBEW 1245 International Vice President Dave Reeves and is being looked to as a national standard.

Work Outlook in Nevada & California

In Nevada, the Green Link project has begun, representing  the construction of 1,000 miles of transmission lines. “The first shovel has hit the dirt.  NV Energy is looking at increasing its size 100% over the next 10 years.  … Anytime you build transmission lines you have substation work, distribution work, and more.  We will have a greater presence in NV than we’ve ever had,“ reported Dean.

In California, PG&E has just announced an infusion of $2.2 billion for new business.

Senior Advisory Business Manager Bob Gerstle reported work projections that include 30,000 pole replacements and 380 underground lines. New Business is skyrocketing. PG&E has agreed to 175 apprentice line workers.”  But challenges remain.  “{PG&E} just discovered 100 “B” tags they didn’t know they had and are still behind on other tags. It will be a mad rush to the finish line,” said Gerstle.

Safety

Safety remains one of IBEW 1245’s top priorities. Though we have not had a fatality this year, our members have experienced serious injuries and close calls. In the wake of Kyle Kane’s crushing accident, IBEW 1245’s senior staff met to brainstorm ways to deepen awareness and to take personal responsibility for ourselves and our sisters and brothers.

Toward that end, a pilot safety organizing drive is underway.  Business Representative and Peer-to-Peer Safety Coordinator Fred Aboud described the initiative.  “Working with the organizing staff, we are training Hold the Pull safety stewards to hold one-on-one conversations with co-workers at their yards. Each steward will speak to up to ten co-workers. Building on relationships, they share first-hand stories, watch our 1245 updated safety video, and invite co-workers to upload a favorite photo of a loved one(s).  Once they’ve sent us the photo, the union will convert it into a hardhat sticker as a daily reminder that each and every one of us wants to go home at the end of the day,” said Brother Aboud.  After the first week of the two-week pilot, 90 conversations have been held.  Upon completion, staff will evaluate whether or not to expand the approach.

Looking forward to 2025

2025 promises to be jam packed with PG&E Negotiations, SMUD negotiations and the General Election for IBEW 1245 officers, Executive Board members, and the Advisory Council.

Bob Dean will lead the negotiations with a committee comprised of staff and a cross section of members representing different lines of business.

Brother Dean emphasized the significance of PG&E Negotiations, saying, “PG&E sets the wage rate for almost all of our public sector and determines what we get in Outside Line.  The vast majority of our membership is affected by what happens at PG&E.  We are preparing for war, while hoping it is smooth sailing,” he said.

Whether contract negotiations or officer elections, Dean emphasized the importance of 1245 membership’s participation. “Our ability to affect change is predicated on participation. I strongly ask you to help and tell everyone in your yard to vote, be heard.  If Patti Poppe sees the vote at 80% it matters. They watch if we care or don’t,” said Dean.

Finally, brother Dean announced that we have launched two new committees:  The IBEW 1245 Veterans’ Committee led by Assistant Business Manager Mark Mau Mau and the IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee, led by Business Representative Nicole Brooks.  He also encouraged ongoing support of the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) and invited Laquania “Q” Thomas, chair of the Solano County EWMC chapter to share a fundraiser in support of next year’s EWMC national conference.

Following the Business Manager’s Report, Advisory Council Members gave their reports.

In a moving moment, long-standing Ad Council member Constance Bibbs (Sac RT) shared that after 39 years she is retiring. In keeping with tradition, she thanked her Business Representative, Sheila Lawton “for all she has done over the years and all she will do.”  SacRT is currently at the negotiating Table and nearing the finish line.  Though IBEW 1245 enjoys a strong working relationship with management, we are  fighting for an additional 3% wage equity.  Sister Bibbs closed her formal report saying, “Thank you to the entire staff at IBEW 1245 for your support.  And one last thing.  Remember that we are the union. Embrace your brothers and sisters. A smile will do.  Just know that we need each other.”  She was met with a standing ovation.

The next quarterly Advisory Council meeting will be held Saturday, October 26, 2024.

– Eileen Purcell, Sr. Advisor