Alan Jones, Business Manager
alan_jones@ibew177.org
Around the Local
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Naperville Council voted 6-1 to reject a 36-megawatt data center despite IBEW's Anthony Giunti emphasizing construction would bring millions to the local economy and create long-term career opportunities. Labor leaders warned that rejecting the project removes years of high-paying skilled construction work from a vacant property.
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America faces critical shortages of skilled electrical workers and electricity supply to support manufacturing reshoring and AI data centers. Morgan Stanley warns of a potential 20% power shortage by 2028 while Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nearly 80,000 electrician job openings over the next decade, with apprentice programs increasing 50% to address the gap.
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Microsoft announced a "Community-First AI Infrastructure" policy ensuring communities won't bear the full cost of electricity consumption and grid expansion from its data centers, following Trump administration pressure. The company's commitment comes as IEA estimates US datacenter electricity demand could triple by 2035, from 200 to 640 terawatt-hours annually.
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Wind and solar generated 30% of EU electricity in 2025, surpassing fossil fuels at 29% for the first time, driven by a surge in solar installations that grew 20% for the fourth consecutive year. Energy think tank Ember reports coal power fell to a record low of 9.2%, though gas generation rose 8% due to lower hydropower availability, lifting import costs to 32 billion euros.
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US electricity consumption is forecast to reach record levels in 2025 and 2026, driven primarily by surging demand from data centers and AI workloads. EIA projects total power demand rising from 4,110 billion kilowatt-hours in 2024 to over 4,260 billion kilowatt-hours in 2026, marking the first time since 2007 that demand has risen for four consecutive years.
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The Trump administration suffered three court losses last week in its campaign against offshore wind, as federal judges lifted stop-work orders on major projects. Industry advocates and even some oil industry figures have grown alarmed by the administration's anti-wind vendetta, which threatens to restrict power supply at a time when electricity demand is surging from data centers and other sources.
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The Trump administration halted construction on five offshore wind projects in December citing classified national security concerns, but has refused to share specifics with developers or the public. Wind companies filed lawsuits arguing the lack of transparency suggests political motives rather than legitimate security threats, as experts note that concerns about wind turbines affecting military radar systems have been known for decades.
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The January 2026 blackout in Caracas during US military operations against Venezuela demonstrated how cyber warfare targeting industrial control systems has become a precision weapon in modern conflict. Experts warn that widespread adoption of insecure distributed energy resources like residential solar inverters creates decentralized vulnerabilities, while examples like Stuxnet, Industroyer, and Volt Typhoon show nation-states are actively pre-positioning within critical infrastructure networks.
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Ray Ryerse, business manager for IBEW Local 86, has been elected president of the Rochester Building Trades Council, succeeding Grant Malone who served for five years. Ryerse, a longtime advocate for registered apprenticeship programs and jobsite safety, will lead the council representing affiliated construction trade unions across the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region.
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jtv.tv
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midhudsonnews.com
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The entire IBEW Construction Division endorsed Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th District. President Joe Egan praised Gill's decades-long record supporting organized labor and fighting for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the dignity of labor for construction workers across New Jersey.
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youtube.com
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wired.com1
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nytimes.com
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aflcio.org
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New research shows climate change has already reduced US incomes by 12% since 2000, far higher than previous estimates, as persistent temperature shifts affect supply chains and regional economies nationwide.
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Weekly roundup of labor news covering union organizing victories, contract negotiations, workplace safety issues, and political advocacy efforts across various industries and sectors nationwide.
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IBEW leaders and members attending the Government Affairs Conference conducted 176 meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, advocating for the PRO Act, apprenticeship standards, and revival of canceled infrastructure projects.
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New Orleans Local 130 establishes the Sparky Sisters Women's Committee to support current women members, recruit the next generation, and address workplace culture issues in the trades through mentorship and leadership opportunities.
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Trump administration policies have led to cancellation of at least 300 energy and transportation construction projects worth $236 billion, representing 255,000 lost construction jobs as tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act are gutted.
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Analysis of America's electricity crisis as costs have jumped 32% in five years, driven by soaring demand from data centers colliding with an overstretched grid, with regulatory policies exacerbating affordability concerns.
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IBEW President Kenneth Cooper and IST Paul Noble address workplace safety and violence prevention following the tragic murder of welder Amber Czech. The article emphasizes creating harassment-free workplaces, confronting mental health challenges in construction, and building a culture of safety and respect that welcomes all workers.
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IBEW members achieved significant electoral victories in November 2025, winning positions from town councils to state assemblies. Features profiles of three member-winners: Stephen Nowicki (Cheektowaga, NY town council), Naomi Hewitt (Fairbanks school board), and Ritch Kurtenbach (Black Hawk County, Iowa supervisor), demonstrating how union members bring worker perspectives directly into government.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Electrical contractors and local union members donated $15,000 to support a community food bank, demonstrating the industry's commitment to community service and helping families in need during the holiday season.
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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.
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Santa brings holiday cheer to IBEW Local 309 members and families.
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IBEW Local 1245 retirees demonstrate the spirit of giving during the holiday season.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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BP and JERA's joint venture JERA Nex BP is withdrawing from the US offshore wind market and halting investment in the Beacon Wind project off Massachusetts, citing unfavorable market conditions. All US-based team members will be laid off in coming months, though the company will maintain the Beacon lease for potential future development. Source: offshorewind.biz