INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS DAILY SUMMARY ® ConventionHIGHLIGHTS 37TH CONVENTION CLEVELAND, OHIO WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 Lou Dobbs Fires Up Convention roclaiming pride in being called a that we can drop hundreds of billions of dol- “protectionist” and a “populist” by lars into overseas adventures and nation P corporate America, TV anchor Lou building, but we can’t spend a billion dollars Dobbs, the first recipient of IBEW’s Voice to secure our ports and borders.” of Working America Award, fired up the Mike Verbout, Tucson, Ariz., Local Cleveland Convention Center, turning his 570, asked Dobbs what he would think speech into a town meeting that put about providing tax breaks to companies IBEW delegates on their feet cheering and that would bring manufacturing back to lining up at microphones. the United States. After his welcome by President Edwin “I guess I’d be all right with that,” said D. Hill, who praised Dobbs for “opening Dobbs. But, he said he had a different view. the eyes of millions of Americans,” “How about this — a company that off- Dobbs, the anchor and managing editor shores American production, exports of CNN’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” ripped American jobs, and then exports back those into a critique of the U.S. political, corpo- goods and services to this country; how rate and media elites. about we tax the bloody hell out of them?” Our Constitution begins with the Saying that he was tired of people sit- words, “We, the people,” said Dobbs, “not ting and simply “discussing the socio- we the elitists, we the corporatists, we the political economic situation,” Dobbs drew free-trade-at-any-price. … Democracy is thundering applause when he shouted, fundamentally about us, the people.” “No. Raise some hell. Give a damn. And The United States has contributed don’t be embarrassed to be a little pas- nearly 80 percent of the total wealth cre- sionate. … If we’re honest with one ated around the world over the course of another and demand the truth, you and I Dobbs addressed health care and public education in will have a great deal to be proud of, and the last 30 years, he added. Yet, during a spirited question-and-answer session. that same period, real earnings have been we’ll assure our children a bright future stagnant, and manufacturing wages have ed financial services companies to line that otherwise would be denied them.” actually declined. “Now [we are called their own pockets by rewriting the per- protectionists] for suggesting that it is sonal bankruptcy code. unfair, that it is madness to destroy an After the conclusion of Dobbs’ remarks, Panoramic Photo industrial base … that was the world’s President Hill encouraged delegates to take The panoramic photo will be taken at envy,” said Dobbs. the microphone. Leundrius Arties, St. Louis the beginning of the afternoon session, Expressing anger at President Bush’s Local 1, asked Dobbs what must be done to which will start at 1:15 p.m. Due to the contention that immigrants are taking keep social issues from “clouding” the politi- configuration of the convention hall, it jobs that Americans don’t want, Dobbs cal thinking of Americans. will be necessary for some delegates to said, “This president can’t finish a sen- Dobbs suggested changing the subject to move so that they can be included in the tence. Americans don’t want jobs that talk about the $5 trillion trade deficit, or the shot. All delegates are asked to please be pay slave wages.” He also assailed the fact that 48 million people in this country in the hall promptly at 1:15 p.m. shameful action of Congress, which invit- don’t have health care. “Talk about the fact 1 IBEW CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 Delegates Approve Resources for Aggressive Organizing Program Ambitious Organizing Plan Spans North America IBEW President Ed Hill unveiled an ambitious organizing program that encompasses six industrial sectors repre- sented by the union in North America. Coming down from the podium to walk among the delegates, Hill outlined the plan using a visual presentation projected on the big screens around the hall. The linchpin of the plan, Hill explained, is the development of multi-industry organizing councils based in specific regions, and the employment of a corps of skilled organizers. “This gives us the opportunity to pull together all the local unions in a particular area to work in this President Hill: “We have thousands and thousands of potential organizing targets.” type of council,” he said. Demonstrating the vast potential for elegates signaled their strong sup- the Convention floor to express sup- organizing within the IBEW’s industrial port for an aggressive growth port for the increase. sectors — utilities, telecommunications, D strategy for the union with an “I am 100 percent behind the Law broadcasting, government, manufacturing overwhelming voice vote in favor of a Committee’s recommendation for the and railroads — Hill displayed several per capita tax increase to provide the per capita increase,” said delegate maps that pinpointed specific targets. resources for the program. Frank Kuders, business manager of “We have thousands and thousands of Delegates approved an amend- Philadelphia Local 614. “My way of potential targets,” he said. “There are 5,000 ment to the IBEW Constitution, looking at it, it’s not an additional bur- nonunion telecom targets alone on this Article IX, which sets out a $1 den on our members. It’s an invest- map.” These include nonunion companies monthly per capita increase for each ment in the International, an invest- in the cable TV, satellite and telephone member, starting on January 1, 2007. ment in our futures and the futures of industries. A second dollar increase occurs two our children and our grandchildren.” Also shown on maps were unorganized years later, on January 1, 2009, and One delegate spoke in opposition to utility employers (rural electric coopera- the last $1 increase will take place on the increase. “How can I vote for an tives); railroad employers that are mainte- January 1, 2011. increase that would eliminate money nance, repair and equipment companies; In summarizing the financial state that should be used for another job and manufacturing targets that produce of the IBEW, International Secretary- in the union office that we needed wire and cable, lighting and signs. Treasurer Jon F. Walters outlined 10 years ago?” said delegate Diane Pointing to a map showing amalgamat- declining membership numbers and Aird of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Local ed and defunct locals, Hill said the IBEW stock market losses. “While some may 2034. “I can’t vote that way for our has lost 572 locals since 1984 because of a debate this issue, the undeniable fact is members.” lack of resources and desire to organize. that we will pay a monumental price if Toronto, Local 353 President Barry “Because we lost those local unions, we’ve we neglect to grow,” Walters said. Stevens said the increase is necessary lost whole communities that thought International President Hill made a for the union’s survival. “You have about the trade union movement. If you’re forceful presentation on the compre- shown leadership with a good vision of not around, they don’t think about you. hensive industrial organizing program where clearly we have to go,” Stevens We need to get them back.” that he has developed. (See related said. “I am glad that we are using that The organizing program will be funded story.) The per capita increases will be per capita to deliver to marginalized by the International and directed by the used to implement the program. The workers more worker rights, fair wages Membership Development Department, increases will also help stave off operat- and a hope for their future. To be the headed by Buddy Satterfield, special assis- ing losses in the IBEW’s budget. best union and a strong union costs tant to the International President. Following the presentation, dele- money. I choose to invest my money gates lined up at microphones across in workers.” 2 IBEW CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 Edward C. Sullivan: Promoting Union Building Trades BEW is unquestionably the drumbeat of The IBEW Code of Excellence program the future in the construction industry promotes a positive perception of union I and beyond, AFL-CIO Building and workers, Sullivan noted, and “it provides a Construction Trades President Edward C. model for all construction unions.” Sullivan told Convention delegates. Additionally, a newly developed national Sullivan praised IBEW President Hill multi-craft, drug-free workplace program for his leadership during challenging enhances union labor. times for the labor movement and the “Our fight to preserve Davis-Bacon pro- AFL-CIO. Hill “has been a uniting force tections is always a priority,” Sullivan said. “In in the building trades,” Sullivan said, the wake of Hurricane Katrina, President recognizing the IBEW’s role in many suc- Bush took away critical wage protections from cessful initiatives. struggling Gulf State workers. We fought back The IBEW/Building Trades partnership hard until it was restored.” with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation The building trades and the IBEW are Partnership “draws attention to the fact “working together in the Gulf States on a that many union members hunt and fish workforce development project to help and enjoy the great outdoors,” Sullivan address our industry’s critical need for said. “Many union members own guns, and skilled workers,” Sullivan noted. “We part- Edward C. Sullivan President , AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades we support their constitutional right to do nered with the AFL-CIO Housing and so. This fact is often forgotten at election Building Investment Trust on a $1 billion time by our adversaries who want to divide investment initiative to help rebuild the have wage protections” and protect us on hot-button issues.” New Orleans area.” American workers.