Nuclear Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Join IBEW
Over 200 workers at nuclear manufacturer Framatome voted 118-64 to join Seattle Local 77 after fast-paced organizing campaign focused on better benefits, wages, and working conditions.
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Local Successfully Lobbies for New Responsible Bidder Rules
Lansing Local 665 helped pass ordinance amendment using weighted scoring system for public construction projects, prioritizing quality training, safety programs, and worker benefits over simply lowest cost.
Latest Podcast: Record-Breaking IBEW Membership Growth
Fourth District International Vice President Austin Keyser joins President Cooper and Secretary-Treasurer Noble to discuss IBEW's record-breaking membership growth in 2024-25. Keyser explains how his district led the way with innovative organizing strategies and intensive efforts that drove unprecedented expansion across the union.
Sec-Treas Noble: A Fairer Factory Floor (EW)
International Secretary-Treasurer Paul Noble argues that unions are what make manufacturing jobs good jobs, citing model partnership between Local 2173 and Delta Star. Noble warns that momentum from Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and CHIPS Act is threatened by current administration reversals. He urges locals to leverage Clean Technology Training Trust to organize manufacturing sector, noting union membership below 10% demands aggressive action to restore North American manufacturing as middle-class foundation.
Members' Skills Impress At State Fair's First Lineworker Rodeo (EW)
IBEW-led lineworker rodeo debuts at Iowa State Fair, attracting 4,000+ visitors including Gov. Kim Reynolds and federal legislators. Fifteen teams of union journeymen from Iowa locals competed in four timed events including cutout change-outs, power line flips, emergency rescues, and signature egg climb. Event showcases labor-utility cooperation through LAMPAC partnership, with plans to make rodeo annual tradition and key organizing tool for recruiting veterans and young workers into IBEW.
House Bill Aims to Speed Up Negotiations for First Contracts (EW)
Rep. Donald Norcross (Local 351), only IBEW electrician in Congress, introduces bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act to combat union-busting delay tactics. Bill establishes 120-day timeline for first-contract negotiations, moving from talks (Day 10) to federal mediation (Day 90) to binding arbitration (Day 120+). Addresses problem where newly organized workers wait average 458 days for first contract. House companion to bipartisan Senate measure by Sens. Hawley and Booker aims to level playing field for workers who courageously organize.
Pres Cooper: Honoring Our Veterans (EW)
IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper honors military veterans in union ranks by sending challenge coins to every IBEW veteran. Cooper highlights union's heavy investment in veteran outreach including hiring an international representative for veterans' affairs, expanding Veterans Electrical Entry Program, and supporting 70+ local Veterans Committees. He urges locals to recruit more servicemembers, noting veterans bring loyalty, pride and teamwork that enrich IBEW jobsites and strengthen organizing efforts.
IBEW Takes Chicago By Storm in Show of Tradeswomen Solidarity
Nearly 6,000 tradeswomen gathered in Chicago for the 15th Annual Tradeswomen Build Nations conference, with IBEW representing over 800 members including 26 from Local 11. The event featured workshops on empowerment and leadership, highlighting growing programs like EMPOWER and the first-ever All-Women's Veteran Electrical Entry Program Pre-Apprenticeship class. Source: ibew11.org
Administration Axed NOAA's Climate Disaster Data. This Group Brought It Back
After the administration discontinued NOAA's billion-dollar disaster database in May 2025, Climate Central revived it under the leadership of former NOAA scientist Adam Smith. The database has tracked 417 weather and climate disasters totaling over $3 trillion since 1980, with 14 billion-dollar disasters occurring in the first six months of 2025 alone. Source: time.com
Facing A Hostile Administration, US Offshore Wind Is in Retreat
US offshore wind faces a 56% decrease in development by 2035 with $114 billion in investments canceled or delayed due to administration policies including a temporary leasing moratorium, 50% tariffs on turbine parts, and early termination of tax credits. Only seven wind farms remain operational or under construction on the East Coast, far short of the Biden administration's original goals. Source: e360.yale.edu