Alan Jones, Business Manager
alan_jones@ibew177.org
Welcome to IBEW 177
International Executive Council Chairman Chris Erikson retires after a 50-year IBEW career, including nearly 20 years leading New York Local 3's 30,000+ members. Grandson of legendary Local 3 Business Manager Harry Van Arsdale Jr., Erikson championed diversity, mentored young leaders nationwide, and helped maintain union wages at $141/hour while serving as IEC chairman for a decade.
IBEW members conducted intensive get-out-the-vote efforts in New Jersey and Virginia's November 2025 elections, helping elect pro-worker governors and substantial majorities in state legislatures. The campaigns emphasized how union rights, collective bargaining, PLAs, and worker wages were directly at stake in these crucial odd-year elections.
Boston Local 103 JATC instructor Thomas Spellman shares his 35-year journey in the IBEW, from childhood dreams inspired by union electrician uncles, through a workplace injury at a non-union shop, telecommunications apprenticeship, work on Boston's Big Dig and at Logan Airport on 9/11, to becoming a full-time instructor training the next generation of electrical workers.
Baltimore IBEW Local 24 fights to save offshore wind projects after Trump administration cuts $700 million in funding and issues stop-work orders. The article examines how these policies threaten thousands of union jobs at Maryland's Sparrows Point Steel offshore wind hub, eliminate clean energy supply that would power hundreds of thousands of homes, and contribute to rising electricity costs nationwide.
IBEW Local 98 members provided Thanksgiving meals to hundreds of Philadelphia families, participated in Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, and honored fallen veterans through Wreaths Across America.
Santa brings holiday cheer to IBEW Local 309 members and families.
IBEW Local 1245 retirees demonstrate the spirit of giving during the holiday season.
IBEW Local 103 held its annual holiday toy drive, distributing 20,000 donated toys and warm winter clothes to Greater Boston families in need through partnership with Mayor Michelle Wu's office.
Feature story from the RENEW/NextGen conference in Portland highlights how these programs for members 35 and under are crucial for union growth, with 215 committees now active across North America focusing on organizing, leadership development, and building stronger local unions through community engagement and political activism.
Tacoma Local 76's Sisters of 76 Women's Committee, launched by journeyman Lisa Forsberg, strengthens organizing and member support through conduit workshops, clothing banks, try-a-trade events for high school students, and Habitat for Humanity projects, demonstrating how affinity groups help diversify union membership and improve outreach to underserved communities.
International Secretary-Treasurer Paul Noble celebrates IBEW members' holiday generosity through food drives, toy collections, and community service, noting that charitable giving is especially critical this year as economic challenges including job cuts, government shutdown effects, and rising costs impact more American families.
International President Kenneth W. Cooper emphasizes that RENEW and NextGen members are leading the IBEW now, not just preparing for future leadership, as the union added 24,000 members in the past year and needs young workers to help meet growing demand for skilled electricians across all sectors.
IBEW locals across North America demonstrate union values through holiday charity work, including Ann Arbor Local 252's 25-year toy drive for children's hospital patients, food drives at Asbury Park Local 400 and Cheyenne Local 415, and Savannah Local 508's annual gift-wrapping party that provides presents and grocery cards to families in need.
IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection contractor Guarantee Electrical won three AGC Keystone Awards including Specialty Contractor of the Year for excellence on projects including the USDA Food Safety Lab and Siteman Cancer Center, while PayneCrest Electric earned honors for transforming office space into Clayco's St. Louis headquarters at the November construction awards gala.
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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