No doubt, 2012 has been a challenging year for many in our IBEW Local 569 family, as well as for families across the United States. As I look back on our year of accomplishments, however I am confident we have laid the foundation to head into 2013 as a stronger Local and a stronger labor movement, thanks to YOU! Here are just some of the victories we are celebrating this Holiday Season thanks to your hard work:
FROM CITY HALL TO THE HALLS OF CONGRESS, WE ELECTED LABOR-FRIENDLY CANDIDATES AND DEFEATED PROP 32!
There’s no doubt 2012 will be remembered as an election year in which we made history and turned the tide for working people in San Diego and Imperial Counties. We joined with working families across the state to beat Proposition 32. We helped elect Bob Filner Mayor of San Diego. We sent pro-union political representatives to fight for us in Sacramento and Washington DC. We also passed a $2.8 billion bond measure at San Diego Unified that is covered by a Project Labor Agreement. The bond measure ensures our kids will have safer and more comfortable learning environs and will quickly create family-sustaining IBEW jobs. Our organizing and our political activism are linked. For example, this year we protected and expanded our existing tradeshow work at the San Diego Convention Center. And, the day after the November election, we signed a Project Labor Agreement for the Center’s proposed expansion.
WE MADE GREEN JOBS INTO GOOD UNION JOBS THAT PUT LOCAL HIRE FIRST!
Over the past three years, our Local has invested significant Organizing resources to ensure green jobs are good, union jobs with middle-class wages, benefits and skilled training and the results are paying off. In 2012 our members logged nearly 100,000 hours building our region’s clean energy future by installing electric vehicle charging stations, building utility-scale wind and solar farms, and installing rooftop solar projects on homes and businesses. These clean energy jobs are a win-win for the environment and the local community because they are putting local electricians to work in good-paying union jobs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping Californians move away from foreign oil. These renewable projects are especially exciting in Imperial County where we have recruited an unprecedented number of new apprentices from the local community who now have a shot at a middle-class career in the electrical industry.
WE DONATED TIME TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY!
Whether it’s volunteering to help a struggling community member with electrical repairs to their home during our annual “Christmas in April” event or pitching in to do lighting upgrades to a physical rehabilitation center for the disabled, IBEW 569 members were out in the community in full force this year. Thank you to all of our members who generously donated your time and energy to help those in need this year. Your leadership and generosity, both on and off the job site, make me proud to say I am a member of IBEW Local 569.
Although we have accomplished much in 2012, there is still much work ahead. Together, we will continue to build on these organizing and political victories in 2013 and beyond to make a real difference for our families, our communities and the future of our work.
Best wishes to our members, friends and families this Holiday Season!
In Unity,
Johnny Simpson
Business Manager
