Talk:International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

History

The IBEW was first granted a charter by the AFL as "National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers of America". As the union began to organize locals outside the mainland USA, the name was changed to "International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers" to recognize the changed circumstances.

The entry (as of March, 2006) repeats one of the factual mistakes first made Michael Aloysius Mulcaire in his early, 156 page history of the Brotherhood, The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers;: A Study in Trade Union Structure and Functions, (Catholic University of America. Studies in the Social Sciences. vol. V, 1923)

For instance, Father Mulcaire traces the union beginnings to a single directly affiliated AFL local 5221. In fact, there were several directly affiliated locals of wiremen at that time. Grace Paladino mentions several of the directly affiliated locals in her 1991 history, Dreams of Dignity, Workers of Vision: A History of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. This fine history, which examines the competition between the ideas AND the individuals within the union, (includes seventy years more history, it is still in print, and is widely available) is a much better history of the organization.

The origins of the IBEW come from several different organizations, trade groups and specializations, which Paladino discusses more fully in her book. Many cities had independent organizations of wiremen which later affiliated with the IBEW. Earlier organizations, such as the Knights of Labor had previously chartered Trade Assemblies of electrical workers. Earlier attempts at unionizing workers had already been made in the telegraph industry.

The different experiences of the founders, and the different conditions existing in various cities and different parts of the industry are reflected the current IBEW structure and membership.

dates

This page says it was officially formed at a convention on November 21 1891, but the logo says "organized November 28 1891" so maybe these are 2 differnet events or we have a factual missprint? (tyrone) 14:01, 7 March 2006 (UTC)

Future Edit Plans

• I am currently in Electrician School at my local commununity colledge.
• Once i have more time on my hands i may be able to update/add more to this page, due to my course's coverage of this (to an extent, not nearly as much as what the books pointed out by the second person in the "History" section of this talk page said!)
• Also once i properly join (assuming everything goes right that is) i may be able to get some documents/photos and whatnot added
• But yeah, i just wanted to document this train of thought of mine real quick here

--Eric Lotze (talk) 15:20, 10 January 2023 (UTC)

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• Learned about the "Construction Organizing Membership Education Training (COMET)" Program
• This would probably make a good addition later as it's own subsection of the page i'd imagine?
• As usual i'll keep everyone posted here

Eric Lotze (talk) 15:12, 17 January 2023 (UTC)

Termination

Is it lawfully acceptable to fire a L.U. #776 Journeyman Inside Wireman with no eligibility for rehire on the terms of conducting personal business on company time when the business being held was pertaining to the possible discrepancy in the rate of pay with the hall and the pay role administration of said company? 74.222.104.140 (talk) 03:15, 13 January 2023 (UTC)