Essential workers who became ill and were unable to work, or who died after contracting COVID-19 may be eligible for financial relief through the new Connecticut Essential Worker COVID-19 Assistance Fund.
Any essential worker who was diagnosed with COVID-19 and lived in the state of Connecticut at any time between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021, is urged to apply for the relief program.
The application portal is open.
The fund will provide the following benefits to qualified essential workers:

Lost Wages – Unpaid leave and lost wages if an employee was unable to work after... Read More


President's Message: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
























We want to wish all of our IBEW brothers and sisters a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year! We’ve all worked hard toward continued growth of our skills and our industry over the last year, so we hope you find time to unwind and relax with loved ones, and make special memories through the simple moments. We want to thank our IBEW members and locals for donating their time by getting behind countless community efforts, and making the holidays a little brighter for those less fortunate than us.... Read More
It is with deepest sympathy that we announce the passing of Mickey Massaro, former CEO of Genovese & Massaro. He passed away on November 27th.  Calling hours will be held at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home in Hamden on Monday evening from 4pm-7pm.
Please see obituary for more info.
https://www.siskbrothers.com/obituaries/Michael-Massaro-2/#!/Obituary

IBEW President Lonnie Stephenson and Austin Keyser, assistant to the president for government affairs, were on the lawn of the White House on Nov. 15 when President Biden signed the infrastructure bill.

Witnessing History: 
With the stroke of the pen, alongside more than 10 IBEW members and a bipartisan group of lawmakers at the White House on Nov. 15, President Biden made official one of the biggest infrastructure investments in U.S. history.
 
Its size and scope ensures that it will rebuild both the country’s weakened infrastructure and the middle class. Touching nearly every sector of the U.S. economy, the bill was touted on a level comparable to the construction of the transcontinental railroad in the late 19th century and the interstate highway system in the 1950s.
 
“I... Read More
In a welcome reversal from past administrations’ attempts to stifle the power of unions in the federal sector, the Biden administration is actively encouraging more worker participation in collective bargaining.
“We are proud as the Biden Harris administration in what we believe we will be, which is the most pro-union administration in the history of America," Vice President Kamala Harris said on Oct. 20 announcing the new guidelines. Among them are:
Including bargaining unit status and union affiliation in job announcements
Giving unions the opportunity to share information with new... Read More

Scranton Local 81 Business Manager Mike McDermott met President Biden when he visited the city in October.

President Biden appeared at the Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton on October 20 to promote his domestic agenda and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that will be created to rebuild the nation’s degraded infrastructure.
 
There to meet him backstage was Scranton Local 81 Business Manager Mike McDermott.
 
The industrial city in northeastern Pennsylvania known most recently as the setting of the fictional Dunder Mifflin in “The Office,” Biden grew up there. Known as “Scranton Joe,” Biden strongly identifies with the town and its working class values. He is that guy, McDermott... Read More
After nearly five years without a confirmed leader, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is headed by worker safety advocate Doug Parker.
 
“Finally after 1,747 days, @OSHA has a champion for workers right as its director,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Doug Parker will advocate for safe working conditions for all and hold employers who violate workers’ right accountable.”
 
Parker, who headed California’s division of occupational safety and health for the past two years, is likely to increase the agency’s inspectors and enforce its anti-retaliation rule. One-time... Read More

IBEW members like this employee of the Army Corps of Engineers willbenefit from pro-worker nominees on the Federal Labor Relations Authority.

Continuing a trend of filling labor-related posts with experienced pro-worker nominees, President Biden has selected Susan Tsui Grundmann and Kurt Rumsfeld for seats on the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
 
“Federal workers can breathe a little easier now that President Biden has not only filled these vacancies, but has done so with experienced individuals who understand the importance of the work that our federal workforce does,” said Government Employees Director Paul O'Connor.
 
The FLRA oversees disputes between federal agencies and their employee unions. If confirmed by the... Read More




















































President's Message - Don't Do It
 
Safety is a race we never win; it’s also one that is made more difficult to manage if your entire focus is not directly on the task at hand.
 
In this President’s Message, International President Lonnie Stephenson introduces an important video called “Don’t Do It”, which debuted at training centers across the country earlier this summer.
 
The message? Electrical work does not mix with drugs and alcohol. When you come to work high or hungover, on pills or... Read More
Building America Back Better Biden's Agenda is Working for the IBEW
How President Biden’s actions benefit working families and IBEW members
Celebrating Labor Day with IBEW Members
President Biden spent the day dedicated to workers with members of the IBEW. Along with IBEW President Lonnie Stephenson, President Biden delivered sandwiches to members of Wilmington, Del. Local 313 on Labor Day, Sept. 6. He played cornhole and chatted with about 35 members of the local union. An article about the event described a moment when “the president began talking into an iPhone to a union member’s mom,... Read More