IBEW ALASKA

Local Union Spotlight:IBEW Local 1547

IBEW Local 1547 is one of the strongest unions in Alaska with nearly 5,000 members. There are close to 70 collective bargaining agreements administered by the IBEW statewide. There are also about 200 contractors across Alaska that are signatory to IBEW. Chartered in 1946, Local 1547 will celebrate its 62nd anniversary this October.

The IBEW represents a wide range of electrical and communications workers. Electrical classifications include power linemen, inside wiremen, power plant workers and technicians, mechanics, warehouse workers, line clearance tree trimmers and heavy equipment operators. Communications classifications include linemen, installation and repair workers, telephone operators, central office technicians, cable maintenance workers, and fiber optic specialists. In addition, Local 1547 represents workers in many classifications outside of the electrical and communications fields from cooks to certified nursing assistants, and from librarians to radar operators.

The leaders and members of Local 1547 are not sitting on the sidelines this election season. Watch this video of Business Manager Larry Bell, Assistant Business Manager Mike Notar, and Organizer Dennis Knebel describing their participation in Labor 2008:

As you can tell from the video, IBEW is making a substantial effort to elect candidates who understand the needs of working families. According to Local 1547 Business Manager Larry Bell, “The IBEW has endorsed Mark Begich for the U.S. Senate. We are excited about this race. Begich has been very supportive of working people, both as mayor and as an assemblyman. He has always been responsive to our members.”

One of the many reasons that IBEW Local 1547 is standing behind Mark Begich is because he supports the Employee Free Choice Act. “On a national level there is a direct correlation between the strength of organized labor and the strength of the middleclass,” says Local 1547 Organizer Dennis Knebel. “The Employee Free Choice Act will level the playing field so that working people who want to form a union can do so without harassment and intimidation.”

Larry Bell adds important insight into this often misunderstood legislation. “More disheartening than anything is what often happens after workers vote to form a union. Then you set out on the daunting task of getting a first agreement. The Employee Free Choice Act sets a path for getting that done. It requires a first contract so that unscrupulous employers cannot hold up negotiations.”

Local 1547 is also deeply concerned by the skyrocketing cost of health care. Bell illustrates the problem from his own experience, “As an apprentice coming up in the early ‘90’s, I can remember my predecessor telling me that my health insurance premium would probably be equal to my car payment. Shortly after becoming a journeyman wireman the same man stood in front of us and told us that our health and welfare premium would soon equate to our mortgage. By the time I became Business Manager a decade later, not only is that true but for many Americans who are fortunate enough to have health insurance it has surpassed the cost of our mortgages. I am excited to see candidates actually running with the recognition that our private healthcare system is broken. We’ve got to fix the foundation of health care in America.”

Mike Notar lays out the situation bluntly. “We have a failing health care system in the United States. I serve as a Health and Welfare Trustee on the IBEW/NECA Health and Welfare Trust in Anchorage. I have seen our premiums rise. We have had to cut benefits in order to keep the fund financially sound. I think that one of the most important things this election is health care for all. The IBEW has endorsed HR 676, which is John Conyers' bill for universal health care.”

In the coming weeks, you can look forward to more in depth coverage of IBEW leadership and issues on the Labor 2008 blog. In the meantime, Local 1547 is urging all union members to get involved. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Dawn Bowie at 344-0910 to find out how you can leaflet your worksite, labor walk to union households, phone bank to other union members, or help with local union mail.

(Top Photo: IBEW members marching in the 2008 Fairbanks Labor Day Parade. Bottom Photo: Local 1547 Business Manager Larry Bell signs in to Labor Walk.)

COMPLIMENTS: ALASKA LABOR BLOG 2008

IBEW Local 1547 is one of the strongest unions in Alaska with nearly 5,000 members.

Footnote: Alaska 2006 Population (estimate) : 670,053

Source: U.S. Census Bureau