The newly sworn-in officers of the IBEW, from left, IEC Chairman Christopher Erikson, President Lonnie Stephenson and Secretary-Treasurer Salvatore (Sam) Chilia.
Fellow officers, delegates and alternates, distinguished guests, brothers and sisters. I stand before you today, proudly, in your presence and that of my wife Denise, my sons, my uncle, former International Treasurer Tom Van Arsdale and the entire Local 3 delegation, my extended family, to humbly accept the nomination as Chairman of the International Executive Council. There is no greater honor than to be elected by your peers to represent them. It is my belief that whether you are an elected officer of this great organization or a convention delegate you have the same responsibility, to act on their behalf with integrity and with the resolve, that the decisions you make are in their best interest.
First and foremost I want to thank President Stephenson for having the confidence in me and the recommendation to the IEC to fulfill the unexpired term of my predecessor Bobby Pierson who faithfully fulfilled his obligation as Chairman of the IEC for more than 10 years.
Brothers and sisters, I am fortunate, blessed actually to be only the 3rd Business Manager in Local 3 since 1933. I succeeded Thomas Van Arsdale who served as Business Manager from 1968 till 2006, 38 years. Tom also served the Brotherhood as International Treasurer, from 1978 till 1998 and as president of the New York City Central Labor Council from 1986 till 1995. Tom succeeded his father Harry Van Arsdale Jr. my grandfather, who was elected Local 3’s Business Manager in 1933. He served until 1968 during which time Local 3’s membership grew from 5,000 to over 33,000. Harry also served on the IEC in the 1940’s and as International Treasurer from 1968 till 1978. As an international officer he worked closely with our distinguished past International Presidents Gordon Freeman, Charles Pillard and International Secretary Ralph Leigon. In that capacity Harry Van Arsdale Jr. left his mark throughout the IBEW given his personal relationships with many Vice Presidents, Business Managers and rank and file members. He nurtured a particularly strong bond with the 1st District and our å_Canadian brothers and sisters. A bond with Local 3 that continues today, a bond that I believe strengthens the IBEW and truly makes us the great International Union that we really are.
Of all the values that both Thomas and Harry Van Arsdale Jr. instilled in me there is none more important than that the only purpose of the union is to serve the membership. That creed has earned the respect and support of generations of Local 3 members resulting in progress and high standards that continue today despite serious challenges. I want to commit to you today as Chairman of the International Executive Council that I will conduct my obligations and carry out my constitutional responsibilities to the best of my ability and act in a manner that is first and foremost and only in the best interest of the members of the IBEW.
I want to extend my congratulations to our President Lonnie Stephenson and say how honored I am to serve as an international officer along with him and Secretary Treasurer Sam Chilia, who have served this membership with distinction. I have seen the commitment and professionalism of both of these men as well as their assistants and their staffs and I’m confident that our union is well represented to meet the challenges as we face an uncertain future but if our proud history is any indication of how we will move forward, there are bright days ahead for all of us.
We also owe a debt of gratitude to President Emeritus Ed Hill whose values have been ingrained in each of us. As Business Managers, he gave us the courage, the tools and the encouragement, as only he could, to keep us moving forward during one of the most challenging periods in the history of the IBEW. And when the time was right he entrusted our future to a pretty special guy, the transition of power is an awesome responsibility and Ed fulfilled that responsibility with very little fanfare. It was done and Lonnie hit the ground running. President Stephenson has gained the respect of the trade union movement and his peers. He is one of us, he has done the work, understands the problems and knows what it will take to move the IBEW forward. Together as we embark on the next 125 years especially for those who have more tomorrows then yesterdays, let’s recommit to the principles and the objectives of the IBEW spelled out in our constitution, fulfill our obligations as members, support one another with our hearts and minds, continue to help those less fortunate and never apologize for who we are and what we stand for, for we are the IBEW the greatest Union on the face of this earth. Thank you.
Pictured are all the elected officers, Vice Presidents and Executive Council members.
