Sacramento, CA – On May 13, 2025, California’s labor movement recognized IBEW 1245 for mobilizing hundreds of IBEW members who, in turn called, door knocked and texted thousands of their union brothers and sisters to advocate for pro-labor candidates and policies.
IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean proudly accepted the “Working Class Steward” Award on behalf of the Union. The award was presented at the annual Legislative Conference sponsored by the California Labor Federation and the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California.
IBEW 1245 Assistant Business Manager Rene Cruz Martinez who has led the organizing program for the last five years stated, “IBEW 1245 was recognized once again for assigning organizing stewards and staff to work at multiple labor councils across the state for the 2024 elections and in special elections in 2025. Our stewards knocked it out of the park. We canvassed, recruited canvassers, set up phone banks, and more. We are the first to arrive and the last to leave on any given campaign day.”
IBEW 1245 Lead Organizing Steward, Kayela Jones, participated in a panel at one of the workshops at the conference entitled, How Young Workers are Changing the Movement.
Thanks to all who represented IBEW 1245.
FRONT: Left to Right: Lorena Gonzalez, President, CA Labor Federation; IBEW 1245 Delegation: Assistant Business Manager Hunter Stern, Senior Assistant Business Manager Ralph Armstrong, Organizing Steward Laquania “Q” Thompson, Organizing Steward Kayela Jones, Business Manager Bob Dean, Organizing Steward Brenda Balcazar, Organizer Charlotte Stevens, Assistant Business Manager Rene Cruz Martinez, Sr. Assistant Business Manager Al Fortier, State Building & Construction Trades Council of CA President Chris Hannan. BACK: Assistant Business Manager Ethan Stonecipher