Local 3 Hosts Electrical Workers Minority Caucus

This year Local 3 played host to the 26th Annual Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) Convention in New York City. On January 15, 2016, a special reception was held in the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square for international delegates and attendees. On this autumn-like night, delegates and attendees made the trek from their perspective hotel rooms to the Hard Rock Cafe and were greeted by the IBEW, EWMC and NECA emblems shining brightly from a large billboard for the world to see. This was a proud moment for all conference guests, though none prouder was EWMC President Emeritus Robbie Sparks saying, “To see the EWMC logo in the bright lights on Broadway proves we have arrived.”
A capacity crowd of over five hundred participants descended upon the rock ‘n’ roll-themed venue to enjoy a night of fun, food and camaraderie. Noticing the record-breaking attendance to this year’s conference, Assistant Business Manager Luis Restrepo stated, “New York City is the city that always breaks the records.”

Keeping with a theme of minority empowerment and multi-cultural diversity, the attendees were treated to a medley of entertainment acts. Santiago Iglesias Educational Society member and comedian Edgar Rivera was the event’s master of ceremonies. The Lotus Dancers, a Polynesian-themed dance group, wowed guests with story-based dances filled with beauty and drama. Flor De Toloache, a Grammy-nominated, first and only all-female mariachi band, delighted the crowd by seamlessly fusing traditional Mexican renditions with modern-day musical pieces. Lastly, a Bessie Award-nominated African drum and dance group, Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater, graced the stage with an å_authentic and unique production that depicts the true richness of African culture.
After all entertainment acts were completed, Business Manager and International Executive Council Chairman for the IBEW Christopher Erikson addressed the crowd and welcomed all in attendance. Mr. Erikson acknowledged the hard work and dedication it took to successfully organize this event and commended all those involved.
Once Mr. Erikson concluded his remarks the night’s festivities continued. Music by DJ Kavon from Preferred DJ’s played through the night as attendees danced and interacted with one another. In attendance and on the dance floor was IBEW President Lonnie R. Stephenson and other dignitaries from the International. There they mingled with members-at-large taking pictures and sharing in the moment.
Treasurer Michael A. Yee, chairman for organizing this event stated, “Each year at the EWMC leadership conference, the hard work that happens at the plenary sessions and workshops are complimented by the camaraderie and bonding that occurs at the reception held by the host Local. At these receptions, the delegates get to unwind and discuss with each other the importance of the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus and continuing the fight for those who came before us and for future generations.
Every year, the Electrical Worker Minority Caucus (EWMC) holds it annual conference over the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, observed this year from January 14-17. Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” The EWMC answers Dr. King’s question by dedicating one day of the conference as a Day of Service where conference delegates volunteer their time and talents for area non-profit organizations. The Day of Service is a tradition for the EWMC as it enriches not only the communities benefiting from the service but also the lives of those volunteering. This year over 430 volunteers took to the streets of New York City and volunteered for 27 different organizations for a total of 3,400 community service hours.
The EWMC delegates blanketed the city providing much needed services including: minor electrical work and painting in homeless shelters, after school centers, community-based churches, VFW, American Legion and Salvation Army facilities; acting as moderators in mock citizenship interviews in an immigration center; helping to clean city landmarks like the Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem; and helping to prepare food for home-bound New Yorkers diagnosed with serious illnesses. The success of the Day of Service was due in no small part to the dedication of EWMC delegates and their commitment to the organizations doing the most good in the communities most in need of support. One such agency is the Kennedy Center in Harlem, a community-based organization that offers after-school services to high school students, which had over 38 RENEW young workers performing a myriad of tasks. Another was Operation Exodus, a nonprofit in Washington Heights that provides much- needed mentoring and guidance to inner city kids. The EWMC has a long history of supporting different community-based organizations. This year it was agreed that Operation Exodus has made a huge impact in its community and the EWMC delegates donated $10,000 to offset the cost of its priceless work in Washington Heights.

The Day of Service Committee, comprised of IBEW, Local 3 Executive Board member Luis Alvarez, Howard Latimer Vice President Will Smith and Asian American Cultural Society Treasurer Wendell Yee, spent months coordinating the projects. The committee approached the arduous task of organizing all the projects like any Project Manager would, one phase at a time. The first phase included a coordinated outreach plan to elected officials, like Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, the Central Labor Council President Vincent Alvarez and religious leaders like Father Brian Jordan, Professor at St. Francis College. Once a pool of potential sites was selected, committee members visited each site and assessed the needs of the organization. Phase two was selecting individual Local 3/EWMC members to be the respective foreman and sub-foremen for each project. Each foreman was asked to get an exact scope of work, which included the material and manpower needed to complete the project in one day. Next the committee reached out to contractors affiliated with Local 3, electrical supply companies and tool manufacturers to donate some of the material needed to complete the work. In all, the committee was able to secure adequate tools, equipment, material and personal protective equipment for all volunteers. The last phase was the logistics of getting every piece of equipment and material to each of the 27 job sites. Brother Rob Martin, Recording Secretary of the Santiago Iglesias Educational Society took on the task of coordinating the delivery of material to each jobsite selected as a volunteer site and the return of donated equipment back to their proprietors via two box trucks and fourteen different drivers.

In all, the EWMC Day of Service Committee’s hard work paid off. According to Steven Moy, President of the New York City Chapter of the EWMC, we have many reasons to be proud of the Day of Service.
The IBEW’s Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) held its 26th Annual Leadership Conference from January 14-17 2016, in New York City, making Local 3 the host local for the conference. The theme of the conference was “Fighting for Economic, Political, Racial and Social Justice for All.” Over 600 IBEW members representing local unions from across the U.S. and Canada attended the conference, which is traditionally held over the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend.
The EWMC was created in 1974 during the 30th International Brotherhood of the Electrical Workers (IBEW) Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. Then-International Treasurer Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. urged delegates attending the convention to embrace the EWMC in hopes of addressing the lack of minority representation and other inequities within the IBEW. During the 2016 conference, the newly appointed International President of the IBEW Lonnie R. Stephenson talked about the origins of the EWMC and he eloquently compared its establishment to that of the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1891. President Stephenson said “both groups were seeking adequate and equal representation,” and today “some of the most important work of the IBEW occurs within the EWMC. Because of the EWMC, the IBEW is stronger, wiser and more powerful.” He credits much of the success of the EWMC to its strong commitment of educating its membership and building future IBEW leaders. EWMC President emeritus Robbie Sparks and current EWMC President Keith Edwards commended the vision of Harry Van Arsdale Jr. and the continued commitment of Business Manager Chris Erikson. She stated “Local 3 has one of the most progressive locals in the IBEW” and challenged other locals to join their progressive culture, doing so will make the IBEW a stronger international union.
Under the leadership of Business Manager Christopher Erikson, Local 3’s delegation included: Assistant Business Manager and EWMC Executive Committee member Luis G. Restrepo Treasurer Michael Yee, Executive Board members Marc V. Brown and Luis Alvarez, Examining Board members Stella Fafalios and William G. Riley, Sr., Business Representative Chris Erikson Jr., Business Representative Benjamin Arana, Business Representative Louie Sanchez, Business Representative Anthony Esponda, Business Representative Annette Diaz, Joint Industry Board Political Liaison Humberto Restrepo, Chairperson of the Joint Industry Board Gerald Finkel, Santiago Iglesias Educational Society President Gil Median, Lewis Howard Latimer Progressive Association Vice-President Will Smith, Asian American Cultural Society President Steven Moy, Amber Light President Carol Castellaeta and National RENEW President Wendell Yee. Several other members of Local 3’s minority clubs participated in the conference, making the New York City chapter of the EWMC almost 100 members strong. Being the host local required a huge commitment from all members and the local. Proceeds from the EWMC Comedy Night went to offset some of the major costs of hosting the conference in NYC.

The first day of the conference started with Local 3’s Assistant Business Manager Luis Restrepo serving as the presiding spokesperson for the conference. Later, all delegates were asked to honor the National Day of Service by volunteering their time and energy in various community service projects across New York City. Over 430 delegates took public transportation to over 27 job sites. Day-of-Service Committee-person, Luis Alvarez estimates that over 3,400 community-service-hours were donated across the city. At the end of the day, volunteers were proud of the service they were providing and felt fulfilled that they were able to make a difference in these communities.
The next two days were full of information. Guest speakers at the conference included NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, NY State Governor Cuomo’s Council Alphonso David, United States Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Reverend Terrance Melvin, President of the NY State AFL-CIO Mario Cilento, almost the entire International Executive Council (IEC) of the IBEW, countless International Vice Presidents of the IBEW and the International President of the IBEW Lonnie R. Stephenson. Also, EWMC President Keith Edwards read letters of support from both U.S. Presidential candidate Hillary R. Clinton and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.
A series of workshops were facilitated addressing the economic, political and labor issues confronting working people such as 21st century organizing issues, community engagement, social media and LGBT awareness in the IBEW. Steven Moy, as President of the New York City EWMC chapter, gave a detailed President’s Report highlighting the extensive list of events and community service activities conducted by Local 3’s minority clubs. The last day of the conferences include swearing-in the new slate of officers for the EWMC and our own Business Manager and new chairperson of the IEC was given the honor. Brother Erikson proudly highlighted this was his first official duty as chairperson of the IEC and promised to keep this moment with him as he represents the IBEW.
The annual EWMC Leadership Conference fulfilled its multi-prong mission of building leadership, promoting activism and work excellence, reinforcing education and building coalitions across spectrums.
The events that took place on September 11, 2001 are seared into the minds of all New Yorkers. That tragic day has changed the lives of every American. The IBEW lost twenty-one members from both Local 3 (17) and Local 1212 (4). For these reasons, the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus and host to this year’s convention, Local 3, found it fitting to visit the site of that infamous day and honor the memory of those fallen brothers and sisters.
On January 15, 2016, over five hundred delegates and attendees from all over the United States and Canada visited the 9/11 Tribute Center on 120 Liberty Street in downtown Manhattan. Thirteen groups each with forty delegates took to the New York City subway system to reach their destination. Each group had two group leaders from Local 3 charged with the task of escorting delegates through the memorial site. This successful logistical feat took months of planning and is a testament of the sound leadership Local 3 possesses.

The 9/11 Tribute Center, formerly known as the Tribute WTC Visitor Center, opened its door on September 6, 2006, across the street from the World Trade Center site and next to the Ladder Company 10 and Engine Company 10 Firehouse of the New York City Fire Department. The 9/11 Tribute Center was started by the family members of the victims of 9/11. The center’s aim is to, “share personal stories of the 9/11 community ‰ÛÓ family members who lost loved ones, survivors, first responders and rescue workers, civilian volunteers and community residents whose healing is a testament to the perseverance of the human spirit.” Visit http://tributewtc.org/ for more details.
As delegates walked through each å_exhibit, they were able to experience the events through the eyes of volunteers, first-responders and survivors. One group leader spotted the picture of a fallen Local 3 member, Thomas Ashton and pointed it out to his group. That immediately hit home. The tour continued to the reflecting pools and into the site’s main plaza. Finally, guests viewed the beacon where å_Local 3 member Sal Cioffi etched the names of the members of Local 3 and Local 1212 who perished on that day.
Spearheading this effort, Business Representative Christopher Erikson Jr. stated, “In line with the other cities we have been lucky to visit, it was important to highlight something that was so strongly related to New York City. The 9/11 center was heart wrenching to see but so important to showcase something so imbedded into New York City culture.”