read Former IBEW Local 1260 boss found guilty of fraud, embezzlement, Hawaii Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, Hawaii's Partnership for Appropriate & Compassionate Care, Hawaii Free Press - All Rights Reserved, A jury found Local 1260s former business manager and his wife guilty of all charges, Ex-labor leader who used union money to fund lavish lifestyle found guilty of 69 counts, Former electrical workers union leader found guilty of using union dues to live the high life, Former union boss found guilty, bail revoked. As a teenager, O'Rourke hawked concessions at 49ers and Giants games and worked his first union job, clerking at a Lucky Supermarket. "There are 68 military bases in the Ninth District, and other ancillary and federal installations. KENNETH COOPER Pension & Reciprocity Fax: 713-868-6342. He was also active in his community, taking on roles such as vice president of the Richland County AFL-CIO, co-chairman of the Richland County Building Trades, board member for the American Red Cross, United Way, Catholic Charities and Richland County Womans Shelter. "You can't get much more of a tryout than helping a brand-new vice president deal with the day-to-day chaos of an international convention," he said. Glen Bernard. "With Ryan, everything's organized. Fenton noted how his time in leadership at Local 223 also gave him some good experience for running the Per Capita Department. News Release from IBEW, Nov 22, 2022 11Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. Washington DC 20001 Telephone: 202-833-7000, . Under his watch, the rolls grew by more than 20%. His tenure was a whirlwind of bargaining, with the IBEW controlling a high market share of the city's electrical work. Support Services Floor 2 East Windsor, NJ 08520. ", A long list of other tactics for growth includes "capturing EV buildout, solar, offshore wind, battery storage, grid modernization and upgrade work, and providing any workforce training needed," he said. After just one year in office, committed antiunion politicians controlled all three branches of the federal government. . "What I like about this job is that I'm consistently in motion," he said. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO, CLC 900 Seventh Street, N.W. While there, he was instrumental in organizing five new units of workers at Nevada Power Company and a new power-generating plant in Apex. In 2015, then-Sixth District Vice President David Ruhmkorff asked him to serve as his administrative assistant in the district office. Source: LM forms filed with the Office of Labor-Management Standards. 11. He is an advisor for the IBEW Veterans Committee, a member of the Union Sportsmen's Alliance where he enjoys fishing and boating, and he is a diehard University of Nebraska Cornhuskers fan. This is an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1245 represented classification, which has over 100 years of experience representing employees at PG&E . Michel and Spencer got to know each other when Spencer was at Local 1597, and they became close friends as they worked at the district office on several organizing campaigns. Proudly representing the Gas utility workers at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Privacy Statement, The IBEW represents approximately 775,000 active members and retirees, who work in a wide variety of fields, including utilities. "I couldn't do this without her.". He signed on a year after graduating from high school, followed by his two younger brothers. It's opened the door and given so many workers who were not unionized what we have in the IBEW. When he took the helm in October 2014, after 13 years as business manager of San Francisco Local 6 and two years as an international representative, the district had roughly 128,00 members across California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, northern Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii. He's an organizer, he understands the need to continue to grow and to never say, 'This is good enough.'". In the Ninth District, that means building on fertile strategies, such as a program launched by O'Rourke and since adopted by the union at large that woos nonunion contractors by giving them a year to test the waters as signatories. The American Labor Movement has consistently demonstrated its devotion to the public interest. He was about to go to college to get an electrical engineering degree when an IBEW electrician came on a service call to the grocery store where Stephenson was working. He took electrical shop classes at Merrillville High School, something that helped him decide that an electrical career and IBEW membership would be a good fit for him after he graduated in 1995. Previous Business Manager of IBEW Local 1547 with a demonstrated history of working in the construction and . IST Cooper also spearheaded NEBFs investment in $650 million of infrastructure and private equity funds that generated superior investment returns and created jobs in the electrical industry. He served many roles at his local union, including steward, vice president, president, chairman trustee for the Pension Fund, chairman trustee for the Annuity, and chairman of trustees for the Health and Welfare Fund. 8. Stephenson was president during a period of nearly unprecedented chaos. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO, CLC 900 Seventh Street, N.W. Prior to his appointment as an international representative, Fenton was a panel member of the Council on . IBEW System Council No. Site Map | Fenton comes in at a good time for the Per Capita Department, as it has undergone some major technology changes over the past few years. . He is the last of his siblings to retire, but Local 6 is still full of O'Rourkes: his son, Rory; son-in-law; three nephews; a niece; and his daughter, Emily, who is both an electrician and for the past 11 years a firefighter. "In one week, I could be at three different tables. Stephenson plans to retire in Florida close to his wife Dawns parents and spend as much time as possible not living out of a suitcase. "We only had $500 to spend, but local union members knocked on doors for a month," says Luiz. Privacy Statement, IEC Appoints Lonnie Stephenson International President. MembershipDev@ibew.org. Per Capita Membership Sixth District International Representative Mike Clemmons will complete the remainder of Nobles term. When he was 13, what doctors at first dismissed as growing pains were diagnosed as tumors resulting from Stage 4 Burkitt lymphoma, a rare cancer. In 2022, then-International President Lonnie R. Stephenson appointed him to fill the term of retiring Vice President Ruhmkorff. As hard as it is to step aside, I am confident the IBEW remains in good hands.. Government Affairs Reasonable. - Source: LM forms filed with the Office of Labor-Management Standards. Stephensons leadership potential was recognized quickly and he rose through the locals leadership, winning election as vice president in 1984 and, in quick succession, serving as president and assistant business manager before taking over as business manager in 1991. On July 15, IBEW 11's newly elected officers took the oath of office before a crowd of over 250 members and their families at the Pasadena Convention Center. Cooper said that his most important decision one that he made with Stephenson and the members of the IEC was simple: the appointment of his partner and replacement as International Secretary-Treasurer, Paul Noble. "We organized under California's public agency laws that didn't compel workers to join a union," says Luiz, who was originally skeptical about organized labor but became an activist under the mentorship of then-Ninth District International Representative Art Jones, who died in 2011. IBEW fought to give its members the platform and the means to work safer, no matter the company's pressures or . "We've all seen a lot of open calls in all classifications, and to fill that workforce, we're going to have to do things differently and think outside the box," Reaves said. "I'm able to walk out the door with great confidence," O'Rourke said. Zachary Kotai Local 2003 Business Manager Montreal QC . Stephenson at a workers' rally during the 2019 government shutdown in Washington. Login A Union representative and a Contractor representative shall meet to resolve the grievance within forty -eight (48) hours from date of filing. Early on as vice president he was appointed in 2014, elected in 2016, and reelected last year he brought together organizers and business managers to develop a policy that gives nonunion contractors a trial run. To organize all workers in the entire electrical industry in the United States and Canada, including all those in the electrical construction trades, utilities, telecommunications, electrical manufacturing, government, railroads and broadcasting. Today, the IBEW is a union ready to ensure that the electrification and energy transition of the North American economy will create a better, cleaner and more reliable future built, run and maintained by the kind of jobs working people used to be able to take for granted. The IBEW has members in both the United States and Canada and stands out among . "The international secretary-treasurer manages every penny in and out of the IBEW and our benefit funds. IBEW International Representative Dave Jones swore in the new officers, executive board, and examining board members before the union's regularly scheduled monthly in-person meeting. Sister Luiz has relocated to Washington State, closer to her daughter's home in Portland, Ore. She hopes to find a home near the water, do some bicycling and kayaking and stay active in the Democratic Party and in Emerge America, an activist group that identifies and trains women to run for public office. "I have had the good fortune to be an International Representative in the IBEW and have had the privilege of working with leaders, co-workers and members who are dedicated to promoting the union movement and helping others to have a better life," says Luiz. "It's full throttle 24/7. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. IBEW International Representative Patrick Reilly serves on the residential wiring technical committee for VICA and served as one of the judges for the contest. Under Luiz's leadership, union membership grew from 33 percent to 70 percent, which opened the door for a successful campaign and vote for agency shop status. "Amy is 100% supportive of the IBEW," he said. Cooper, also a first-generation journeyman inside wireman, grew up poor in rural Ohio in a family filled with love, but without many of the comforts most children are accustomed to, including indoor plumbing and adequate insulation. Site Map | Telecommunications I heard that many times while I was business manager," Fenton said. Former IBEW Local 1260 boss found guilty of fraud, embezzlement. A journeyman lineman out of Anchorage Local 1547, Reaves did telecom line work and outside construction throughout Alaska. Stephenson, the son of two factory workers in Moline, Ill., had a front row seat to that decline. International Representative Juanita Luiz, IBEW Political/Legislative Department, retired effective Dec. 1. "My new assignment was to assist Paul," Reithel said. Kasmark said Reithel's appointment as Noble's senior executive assistant speaks volumes. International Vice President at IBEW. "I knew I had found my career," he said. The two instantly began to develop a good working relationship, he said. With the approval of International President Lonnie R. Stephenson, Sixth District International Vice President David J. Ruhmkorff asked Reithel to join his district's staff in 2021 as a service representative for Indiana. OConnor was appointed IBEW International Representative assigned to the Sixth District staff in January 1987. . He served as business manager, international representative and Sixth District International Vice President before rising to International President in 2015. As used . The Personnel Department's primary responsibility is to provide assistance to the International President, the International Secretary-Treasurer and to all its active and retired officers, representatives, assistants and office employees of the International Office located in the US and Canada providing best practices of . In 2010, then International President Edwin D. Hill appointed Noble as an international representative in the Sixth District, where he served as the Illinois state political coordinator and serviced local unions in southern Illinois and southwest Indiana. On top of construction, contracts included shipyards, transit, city and county workers, the Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco's newspapers, "You'd be done and go, 'Thank goodness that's over,' and then there was the next one," O'Rourke said. Location 1475 N Loop W. Houston, Texas 77008. It is, and has been, good for all America. Please join the IBEW's officers and staff in welcoming Reithel to the International Office and wishing him well in his new position. He never speaks bad about anyone.". It shall apply to all firms who sign a Letter of Assent to be bound by this Agreement. Ross Galbraith is an International Representative working with 11 progressive IBEW local unions in Atlantic Canada. | That hasnt changed, just the size of my family, Cooper said. He served as business manager, international representative and Sixth District International Vice President before rising to International President in 2015. "You have to have the ability to talk to people in Per Capita. Union density was another story when O'Rourke moved to the Ninth District staff in 2012 and began servicing locals outside the city that were struggling to sign contractors. It's a position to which he brings a multitude of experience, from his time as business manager of Brockton, Mass., Local 223 to his appointment as an international representative in the Per Capita Department. In addition to his responsibilities at Local 702, which represents nearly every branch of the IBEW, Brother Noble served as NECA-IBEW Decatur Plan Trustee, Egyptian Building Trades Officer and president of the Southern Illinois Central Labor Council. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Phone: 713-869-8900. Organizing Contact Form "But once they experience what's in it for them, they see the value of working with us. Noble and his wife, Gina, will come to the International Office from his home outside West Frankfort, Ill. Noble says his goal is to bring the voice of the membership to Washington and make sure the lines of communication stay open. Thank you to each and every IBEW member for your contributions over the last seven years.. He said he's already a practiced long-distance commuter between years flying to far-flung locals across his home state and to and from the West Coast as a representative. A musician, his father also performed with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and went on to work in the construction industry while his mother worked in the school system and raised their four children. Stephenson gavels the IBEW's 40th International Convention to a close in May 2022. It was during his time as a Local 697 leader and activist that he met the future international secretary-treasurer. Dave Reaves, O'Rourke's successor, similarly praised his former boss, calling him a friend and mentor. Stephenson thanked the more than 775,000 members of the IBEW for entrusting him with stewardship of the union. John F. Kennedy, Copyright 2023 by IBEW "I studied Dave when he was a business manager. In 2006, IBEW International President Edwin D. Hill recognized his leadership skills when he asked him to serve as an international representative for the Fourth District of the IBEW, which covers Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. What gives me confidence is the example Lonnie set and my mission that every working man and woman in the electrical industry deserves what I have.. He also deepened the IBEWs commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity, stewarding the IBEW Strong program to bring more people of color and women into the union. A native of San Diego, Sister Luiz was working for the Eastern Municipal Water District in Southern California when, in 1994, workers in an independent employees association at the utility approached the IBEW for representation. | The officers and staff of the IBEW join the membership in wishing Brother Spencer the best of luck as he takes on this new role. ", Reithel is enthusiastic about his new role. In the "I interviewed Ryan for his apprenticeship," said IBEW Director of Business Development Ray Kasmark, a former Local 697 business manager who sat on the local's joint apprentice training committee at the time. Contact. He then went on to serve a five-year apprenticeship. . It employs 5,001-10,000 people and has $250M-$500M of revenue. American Veterans organizations like VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, and many others are some of our largest clients. One objective of the IBEW is to promote _____ methods of work. Delegates to the 40th International Convention unanimously elected him to a full term later that year. Leadership by Example | Learn more about Randy Curry's work experience, education, connections & more by visiting their profile on LinkedIn Email: IBEW IBEW International Representative 10 years 11 months Business Development IBEW International Representative Jun 2015 - Present 7 years 8 months. QUICK LINKS. 900 Seventh Street, N.W. Or a local Houston contractor in need of skillful electrical services? Work brings us together, but you have to walk away from the tools before you need a cane to do it, Cooper said. Spencer went on to serve as chairman and chief steward of his bargaining unit. Marilyns sister, Jennifer Estencion, was found not guilty of conspiracy and 42 counts of wire fraud. Cooper began his career in 1985 at Local Union 688 in Mansfield, Ohio, where he served a four-year apprenticeship to become a journeyman wireman. After high school, Spencer spent four years in the U.S. Army, where he was trained as a paratrooper. He said O'Rourke and his executive assistant, International Representative Dominic Nolan, have been invaluable tutors, and Reaves is grateful that Nolan is staying on in that role, effectively chief of staff, until his retirement next year. I couldn't have worked with a higher caliber of people.". With more than 700,000 members, the IBEW is among the worlds strongest labor organizations, representing workers in a range of skilled occupations in a wide variety of fields, including utilities,construction,telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. Our Mission Contact Us | The estimated hourly pay at IBEW ranges from approximately $15.80 per hour for Apprentice Electrician to $42.39 per hour for Journeyperson Electrician. I've been a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) since 1992 and active in union leadership roles virtually all of that time. Whether you are a professional or blue collar employee, the IBEW has experience in organizing and representing workers in your career. Under his leadership, the local prospered, market share for construction grew, and organizing increased, including a successful organizing campaign at a manufacturing plant that added nearly 200 members to the small local. He isn't afraid of it and will explore new ways to do things better.". Among Reithel's biggest accomplishments with the local was helping to leverage the IBEW's Code of Excellence to form a partnership with M.J. Electric that secured jobs for about 200 local members at the BP refinery in Whiting, Ind., at a time when such jobs were hard to find. Washington, DC 20001 Telephone: (202) 833-7000 Email: IBEW Fax: (202) 728-7676 Find us on google maps . The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers issued the following statement upon the conviction of Brian Ahakuelo and Marilyn Ahakuelo on Monday, Nov. 21: Contact Us | The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers issued the following statement: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers President Lonnie R. Stephenson is retiring, effective Jan. 4, bringing an end to a nearly five-decade active career in the union. Stephenson at a workers' rally during the 2019 government shutdown in Washington. We faced historically bad headwinds during his term, and he leaves us stronger than he found us: more members, more friends and better prospects for the future, Cooper said. Fenton served for a time in the Construction and Maintenance Department in 2022 but was primarily assigned to Per Capita, where he worked closely with Spencer. We just took on the fires as they were coming.". "John really cares for everyone on his staff and in the district, and he will do whatever it takes to help you succeed," said Reaves, most recently a Ninth District representative and previously business manager of Anchorage, Alaska, Local 1547. Dave Fenton was appointed director of the Per Capita Department, effective Jan. 4. It astonished him and hammered home the need to build political coalitions that valued working families and stiffened his resolve that if labor had a future it would need to organize. Use this form if you want an organizer to contact you. ", Noble agreed. | The International Executive Council appointed International Secretary-Treasurer Kenneth W. Cooper to fill the remainder of Stephenson's term and Sixth District International Vice President Paul Noble to fill the remainder of Coopers term. 2020 IBEW East Coast Motorcycle Ride; EW Online; IBEW for Clinton-Kaine Campaign Materials; The department makes its greatest contribution through its involvement in improving the productivity and quality of work life for all staff and employees, reinforcing the belief that our greatest asset is the people who work here. General Pension Benefit . Eric Jackson is an International Representative at IBEW Local based in Tacoma, Washington. . "Now, as a part of the Per Capita Department, I'm part of a team that is responsible for all the members' records, from the time that they join until their retirement. This information is a public record, which can also be found on www.UnionReports.gov, which is a government-run website. President Stephenson leaves behind a great legacy. It's a workforce that's really untapped.". 11 is made up of local unions. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers issued the following statement upon the conviction of Brian Ahakuelo and Marilyn Ahakuelo on Monday, Nov. 21: . "We worked together three weeks in a row, nonstop. International Representative Juanita Luiz, IBEW Political/Legislative Department, retired effective Dec. 1. SA: Aformer union bossindicted by a federal grand jury in August 2019 for rigging a dues hike vote and using his members money to pay for his familys lavish lifestyle was found guilty on all counts this afternoon.