Advisory Council at the union hall in Vacaville, Calif. on October 26, 2024.
Vacaville – On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the IBEW 1245 Advisory Council conducted its quarterly meeting at the Union Hall in Vacaville, California.
IBEW 1245 Executive Board President Cecelia de la Torre, President, welcomed the Executive Board, Ad Council members, staff and members, many of whom were attending for the first time.
The first order of business: swearing in our newest Advisory Board member, Kenneth Williams from Sacramento Regional Transit (SAC RT).
IBEW 1245 Veteran’s Committee Sworn In
Next up was the introduction of the revived IBEW 1245 Veterans’ Committee. Assistant Business Manager and veteran Mark Mau Mau stated, “One of the goals of the Veteran’s Committee is to recognize veterans. First task, to identify and honor veterans in the IBEW 1245. Second, we want to identify veterans who would like to become part of the IBEW family.”
The committee was welcomed with a rousing ovation. Right hands raised, they pledged to serve the veterans of all the armed services by “building community, strengthening their voices within the IBEW, and lighting a path to the middle class.”
New IBEW 1245 Women’s Video Unveiled and Women’s Committee Inducted
Senior Assistant Business Manager Anthony Brown introduced the new IBEW 1245 Women’s Video which showcases the stories of seven women from across IBEW 1245’s territory and across classification. A Welder, Cable Locator, Linemen, Clerk, Line Clearance Tree Trimmer, Traffic Controller, and Leak Surveyor describe their work, their passion, and their message for young women considering entering the trade.
“The message I would say to young women considering the trades? Absolutely do it! Get prepared, come out, be ready to work hard, be well compensated, and find a career you will love,” declares Julie Brousseau-Anderson, a Traffic Control Tech 1, Outside Line.
“You just have to work hard, want it, and be flexible with the different personalities you come across and the long hours,” says Tierney Foster, a Lineman at PG&E.
Both Brousseau-Anderson and Foster are members of the newly formed IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee. The Committee is the brainchild of IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean who assigned Business Representative Nicole Brooks to stand up the committee. “Women make up a vital part of IBEW 1245 in virtually every line of business,” declared Brooks. “Our goals include creating a space where women can be heard and celebrated, and to have a group we can tap to invite girls and women to join the IBEW,” she added. Committee Members were called up one by one.
Sworn in by President de la Torre, our sisters were greeted with a standing ovation by the Executive Board, Ad Council members, staff and family members who attended to mark the occasion. The Committee was joined by the women from the Executive Board and IBEW 1245 Staff for a group photo.
Remembering Our Brothers and Sisters who have Passed
Sr. Assistant Business Manager Anthony Brown turned the attention of those gathered to the brothers/sisters we have lost recently.
Ofamo’Oni Manu, affectionately known as “O,” who had just started his journey as a utility worker at PG&E, lost his long battle with cancer.
In the last few days, brother Cameron Martin, who worked Outside Line, lost his life in a tragic post-work accident. He was struck by a car crossing the street.
Ian Amo, a journeyman lineman/inspector, and David Kenley of PG&E, each struggled with life circumstances, and lost their respective battles.
Brown stressed the importance of mental health, a recurring theme in many of the reports by Advisory Council members.
“It is an ongoing and deep conversation across all of the trades,” he said. “This organization is built on creating safe working conditions. How do we come together and put our collective might to make sure people make it home at the end of the workday? And by extension, how can we support each other to make sure we show up at work the next day?” he asked.
Celebrating the Craft and the Growing Work
The Kansas City International Rodeo
Senior Assistant Business Manager Ralph Armstrong reported on the Kansas City International Rodeo. One of largest in the world, IBEW 1245 members continued to make a strong showing. Two PG&E teams placed in the top overall rankings and a veteran team from Turlock Irrigation District (TID) placed first in the Municipal division. The event was a great success thanks to everyone’s hard work, from the crews to the judges, the drivers of the IBEW 1245 Trailer and the support staff who provided food and drink for our members.
Armstrong also highlighted two projects underway in Nevada. “The Greenlink project is a massive undertaking, 750 miles of transmission lines from Las Vegas to Yerington and from Yerington to Ely. We also have the SWIPP project in the works. Combined, we will build close to 1,000 miles of transmission lines across Nevada, and every ounce of that is under a PLA (Project Labor Agreement) – 100% IBEW. We worked hard. In a “Right to Work” state – it will all be done union!” said Armstrong.
General Elections: IBEW 1245’s Single Criteria
Brown reminded all gathered to vote, and to vote your conscience. IBEW 1245 has a single criteria when endorsing and supporting political candidates and initiatives. “We have a single focus: it’s not party. It’s whether or not a candidate will support working families and make conditions better for this organization and others. We fight for people who support us, and we fight against people who are against us,” he said. He emphasized local fights that directly impact IBEW 1245 members at the negotiating table. “I encourage you to vote close to home, to vote for school board, county commissions, waste management boards – those are the decisions that have an impact on the quality of life for you, your children, your neighbors, your community.” He thanked 1245’s Organizing Team and Organizing Stewards who are working with eight Central Labor Councils to elect IBEW 1245 candidates.
Preparing for 2025: Negotiations, Elections, and More
2025 promises to be rife with challenges, especially with IBEW 1245 leadership elections and upcoming negotiations at PG&E and SMUD, two of 1245’s largest properties, along with other employers in the public and private sector. “We will be neck deep. But we have a proven track record, an extraordinary staff and support staff. We have a hardworking Executive Board, we have you and an engaged membership,” declared Brown.
“This is a member driven organization. It is the membership that gives us the strength to do battle with our employers. A unified front,” he added. “We have what it takes to tackle these challenges and come out at the other end.” Case in point, PG&E Bankruptcy. In an unprecedented achievement, IBEW won an agreement which included wage raises, no “take aways” on pensions or medical benefits, and a “no lay off” clause – something that no other local union in this nation has ever done. Brown added, “I have full confidence in our leadership and membership. We will continue to make our organization stronger every day.”
Local Reports – a Sampling
Albert Muetterties, (Outside Line) shared the deep sense of pride he experienced as he witnessed IBEW 1245 brothers and sisters deliver mutual aid to hurricane-stricken Georgia and Florida. He also shared a story from the 9th District Progress Meeting in Kauai that took place one year after the devastating fires in Maui. Hosted by IBEW Local 46 in Kauai, some IBEW members lost everything in the fire. Neighbor helped neighbor. Most striking, “One of the first calls they made was to Bob Dean and 1245. They wanted to know what our play book was so they could strengthen their system because we’d been through the CAMP fire.” Solidarity and the brotherhood in action.
Leo Ramirez (City of Lompoc) shared how Organizing Stewards have hit the ground running, busy walking in support of current mayor of Lompoc who has been instrumental in supporting our demands at the City. Recently, the mayor supported 8 new positions with an equity adjustment raise!
The Good of the Union
IBEW 1245 Business Representative Steve Lange shared the specialty safety glasses IBEW 1245 has produced – a good portion of the proceeds will benefit the Injured Workers Fund.
Nicole Brooks led the meeting in a moment of silence for all who have lost their lives in the last two weeks.
President de la Torre brought the meeting to a close, thanking all gathered for their time and dedication.
The next quarterly meeting will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025.