A Report on the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus 2008
Eloida G. James
United Nations
The Eighteenth Annual Caucus conference began on Thursday, January 17th, 2008, with Community Action Projects, such as painting, wiring and landscaping two elementary schools for children with special needs, to assisting at a senior citizens center. I volunteered for the senior center. Those who volunteered helped set up for a retirement party, which the seniors would attend. We set decorations, chairs, table settings and distributed the catered lunch. The appreciation of the seniors really made everyone’s day. It was truly inspiring; everyone was clearly having such a good time. Starting the conference with community activities is, for me, one of the highlights of this conference. It makes this conference different and the sense of giving back to the community and sharing stays with you throughout the length of the conference and beyond.
The conference event began Friday morning. The open plenary session started at 8:30 a.m. Our first special guest speaker was Ms. Maria E. Durazo, Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, followed by Mr. Marvin Kropke, Business Manager of Local 11 of Los Angeles who introduced the Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles. An extremely charismatic person who evidently works very closely with the IBEW in LA in terms of the needs of the city, Mayor Villaraigosa is someone who believes in unions and respects the worker.
The conference proceeded with an array of guest speakers and delegates. Mel Horton, retired Fifth District International Vice President gave a riveting tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. Another fascinating and inspirational as well as empowering speech was given by Reverend Eric Lee, President of The Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Los Angeles. Both speakers urged us to make the dream a reality, to go beyond the celebrations and parades and connect the dream in an application of justice and opportunity for those that are struggling in our society.
The afternoon was started with an address on Diversity Leading the Way, by Victor Uno, member of the Executive Committee of the EWMC, Business Manager of Local 595. This was followed by a panel discussion entitled, “Keeping it Real”. The remainder of the day was spent in group caucuses, which consisted of the Industrial and Construction groups.
That evening we were treated to a party at the B.B. King Restaurant, located at the Universal Studios Boardwalk and sponsored by IBEW Locals 11, 18 and 47. Entertainment was provided by “Happy Feet”.
Saturday’s meeting got us going with the Honorable Laura Richardson, Congresswoman of the 37th District in California. She and Mayor Villaraigosa, young, minority, and successful politicians gave us all hope for positive change in our current political climate. The Keynote speaker for this meeting was President of the IBEW International, Mr. Edwin Hill, who spoke eloquently of his support of the EWMC. He spoke of the Diversity Resolution being the strongest resolution passed in an IBEW convention, (Diversity and Full Inclusion Resolution 15 was adopted at the 37th International Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. ’06), and stressed that it is time for results and the participation of all members at every level. He said that actions, not words, are the bottom line. The goals are recruitment, training and mentoring. He presented a check for $75,000 to the EWMC for leadership training, and also stressed that we have to build a stronger and more vibrant union. He pointed out that the immigration issue is an emotional issue that challenges labor unions, and suggested that new ways be found to legally integrate immigrants into our workforce....gave us all hope for positive change in our current political climate.
The morning session ended with a workshop by Mr. Mel Horton, retired Fifth District International Vice President. Mr. Horton handed out educational materials on health care, taxes and the cost of war. His presentation was titled, “The Big Squeeze – Part Two; Politics, Policy and the American Dream”. It was quite an eye opener for those of us who are uninformed and who are not aware of how we are paying more and getting less. One example from one of his handouts, “The Power Shift Since the 1970’s”, illustrates how big campaign contributors are on the rise - corporations, the wealthiest 10% of US households, corporate lobbyists, special interests and Wall Street. In decline are: progressive politics, labor unions, the bottom 90% of US households, voters, public interest, and Main Street.
At the bottom of this handout in big letters was written, “WHO DO YOU THINK SETS THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC AGENDA IN AMERICA?” Another interesting and informational handout stated: Current Union membership stands at just 12% of the US workforce. However, the highest concentration of Union members is in the states that are loosing population. Based on US Census Bureau projections, the 2010 Census could result in 12 congressional seats moving from mostly states with higher unionization rates to states with mostly lower unionization rates. Since 1970, 84% of the US population growth has been in the South and West. He left us with the question, “What if anything can unions do to keep from being the big losers as the population shifts?” His presentation was both highly motivational and educational.Who Do You Think Sets the Social and Economic Agenda In America?
Saturday afternoon began with various workshops, such as:
- 2008 Election: Mobilizing to Win, by Sherilyn Wright, International Rep.
- Forever Lifting & Moving Up Through Mentoring, by Eric Brown, Treasurer of Local 11 & Donna Hammond of The EWMC Chapter of Portland, Oregon
- Building Bridges and Alliances for Social & Economic Justice, by Tony Sarimento, Executive Board member, Asia Pacific American Labor Alliance,
- Immigration - A Human & Civil Rights Issue, by Wilson Riles, Jr., of The Black Alliance for Just Immigration and Eddie Acosta of the AFL-CIO.
I attended the Persuasive Communication and Leadership workshops.
Saturday evening was capped by an awards dinner and Community Service and Scholarship presentation.
The concluding day, Sunday, January 14, featured several EWMC chapter reports, elections, and caucus business.
The evening was capped with the EMWC Awards dinner and dance at the Hilton Universal Hotel.
Harrison Thornhill, President Local 824 Tampa, FL said that of the many conference he has attended in his long career this was the best conference that he had ever participated in. He felt that it was collegial and informative.
Unfortunately I was not able to attend the Sunday closing of the conference.
The membership owes special thanks to Ms. Robbie Sparks, the dynamic woman who founded this caucus. She works very hard at organizing these conferences and making sure that everything goes smoothly, with the goals of promoting equality and opportunity, fostering leadership and empowering of minorities.
On a personal level I would like to say that it is very gratifying to have shared this experience with Ms. Cheryl Thomas, Executive Board member for Local 1212, a hard working sister at the EWMC conferences.
