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Giving Thanks

Fall is the season of the year when citizens of the United States and Canada give thanks, and there are holidays set aside in both nations for officially doing so.

Not a day goes by when I do not give thanks that I am part of the IBEW. Primarily, I am grateful for the opportunity to be associated with each of you reading this, the men and women of the IBEW. Without the solidarity that has long existed among our brothers and sisters, none of us would have had the opportunities in life that we have enjoyed. The hard times would have been worse; the good times less numerous.

I recently had a wonderful opportunity to see the IBEW spirit in action in a very special way when I addressed the Santiago Iglesias Educational Society in New York City. The society is a fraternal organization of Hispanic members of IBEW Local 3, and they honored me with the presentation of the Jose Lopez Award, named after a long time IBEW and community activist.

In my speech to the society, I praised them for their emphasis on education. I emphasized the importance of giving our members the tools to help themselves over the course of a lifetime. Those tools are training, education and access to continuous skill upgrading. That is what the IBEW as a whole seeks to do for its members.

There was a greater point to be made that October evening. When I looked around the room, I was reminded once again what a force for good the labor movement can be when we are true to our principles.

At its best, the labor movement doesn’t ask who you are, or where you came from, or what color you are. It asks only for your loyalty and gives solidarity in return...the solidarity that helps to create a true community among working men and women. The labor movement has long given those most vulnerable in our society the opportunity to stand together and answer the power that is concentrated in the hands of the wealthy. And few are more vulnerable than those who are new to our country, dealing with the emotional pressure of leaving loved ones behind, of adjusting to a new language and culture, and of seeking a start on the road to the American Dream. These are the highest principles of the labor movement.

The collective bargaining agreement is the ultimate civil rights document — it protects everyone. It is the only tool that wins respect from the powerful from those who would otherwise be powerless. At its best, the labor movement reminds us that we are indeed all brothers and sisters and we must come together, not let ourselves be driven apart.

Unfortunately, labor is not isolated from society. At times, labor is infected by the ills of society instead of serving as the cure. It is especially painful when some members seem to forget their own immigrant roots. Some fail to realize that it was the labor movement and many associated ethnic societies that helped their own ancestors get a needed leg up in North America. Reminding our members of our true values and our historic mission is a responsibility I take very seriously. And so should we all.

The IBEW is a vast tapestry of many faces spanning the North American continent from the Arctic to Panama and reaching far flung Pacific islands. Yet, the warmth of brotherhood and sisterhood is enough to unite us all. And that is worthy of thanks.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the many American and Canadian veterans of military service in our membership ranks. Your valor and sacrifice will never be forgotten.