Sacramento, CA – In a dazzling celebration at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, IBEW 1245 Women were celebrated for the unparalleled work by 1245 staff and Organizing Stewards to defend and grow the labor movement. The event marked the Sacramento Central Labor Council’s (CLC) 24th annual Salute to Labor.
Women from across the labor movement were recognized for their work, including labor champion Assembly Member Liz Ortega (CA District 20), Union All Stars from a variety of Union locals, CLC Staff and Lorena Gonzalez, President of the California Labor Federation.
But IBEW 1245 women took center stage. Flanked by a dozen sisters, IBEW 1245 Organizer and CLC Executive Board Member Charlotte Stevens accepted the award on behalf of IBEW 1245 to a rousing ovation.
“Thank you, Sacramento Central Labor Council and Executive Board for this recognition. It belongs to each and every badass woman of IBEW 1245 who has contributed to our shared fight for fair wages, safer working conditions, and the respect that all workers deserve,” she declared.
Since 2012, IBEW 1245 has dispatched teams of trained stewards to work with Central Labor Councils of the AFL-CIO across California and northern Nevada to advance labor’s agenda. Hundreds of Organizing Stewards have dedicated their time and energy to rally at the State Capitol to support (and sometimes oppose) legislation with a laser beam focus on the wellbeing of working men and women.
Today, IBEW 1245 Organizing Stewards lead trainings, staff campaigns, and bring home victories for initiatives and candidates who support working families.
“Our Organizing Stewards are in the forefront of political fights locally and across the country. Our women stewards constantly manage their time with their families, their full-time jobs while also being activists in their communities to preserve labor rights, and collective bargaining agreements, because they see the value in being active and what they stand to lose,” declared IBEW 1245 Assistant Business Manager and Organizing Director Rene Cruz Martinez.
In the most recent election cycle, IBEW 1245 stewards led the charge to elect local leaders who directly impact 1245 members at eight Central Labor Councils across California and Nevada. They recruited, trained, and walked with hundreds of volunteers to door knock, phone bank, and turn out the vote for labor friendly candidates. Among the candidates they brought across the finish line are Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, SMUD Board Member Rob Kerth, City of Roseville District 5 council member Karen Alvord, City of Sacramento Councilman Roger Dickenson and West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero.
“Every one of these candidates impacts decisions that affect our memberships’ Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA),” said Cruz Martinez.
“We’re here to make a difference,” exclaimed Rocio Gianelli, a Customer Service Rep (CSR) from PG&E. “It’s an overwhelming feeling. We’re never gonna give up fighting for better working conditions, not just for ourselves, but for others who don’t have a union,” she added.
Latoya Carter, an Operating Clerk out of PG&E, exclaimed, “I’m still in awe. I’m lost for words; I am so appreciative and humbled by this recognition.”
Kayela Jones, a CSR at PG&E, shared, “I feel like this night was so empowering for women. It made us feel included. Thank you, Bob Dean, for making it possible,” a reference to IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean who has continued investing in the Organizing Program with the full support of the IBEW 1245 Executive Board.
Even as the labor movement braces for new challenges presented by the outcome of the presidential election, the overwhelming sentiment was one of marked determination and optimism.
Iysha Davis, a Customer Service Representative (CSR) out of Stockton declared, “We need to fight even harder and to celebrate the wins. I’m so proud to be 1245 and to be among so many of my sisters.”
Stevens summed it up saying, “Tonight is important. They see us, and the hard work we do. Every victory, whether big or small, is a testament to the power of solidarity. We’ve faced challenges, we’ve fought hard, and we’ve encountered setbacks—but WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP. WE ARE NOT GOING BACK!!”
- Eileen Purcell, Sr. Advisor