History of the IBEW 1600 |
History of the IBEW 1600 |
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Local 1600 IBEW is a chartered Local Union located in Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania, whose jurisdiction is primarily of an Electrical utility property nature. Its membership is primarily employed by Pennsylvania Power Light Company, yet it has members whose employer is the Municipality of Ephrata, Comcast Cable and WPS Wisconsin Power . Local 1600 is a Union Shop, and embodies all bargaining unit classifications as prescribed by the National Relations Board certification. The only exclusions are managers, professionals, guards and part-time students as defined under the act. Its jurisdictional territory includes 29 of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania. . HISTORY Local 1600 was chartered in October of 1976, and its’ officers were elected in December of that year. The predecessor of Local 1600 was the Employees Independent Association, which was comprised of 15 separate divisions, each with a President, Vice President and Treasurer. This elected group would then elect a Chairman and a Vice Chairman, who would serve in a full-time capacity, and function in a manner that attempted to emulate the I.B.E.W.’s System Council procedures. The remaining Presidents and Vice Presidents would usually serve as the negotiating committee with PP&L, and regular monthly meetings were held between the Company and the Local Unions. In addition to the "Joint Meetings" of the E.I.A., monthly meetings were held in the respective divisions, with each division maintaining it’s own treasury, paying a monthly assessment towards the salaries of the Chairman and Vice Chairman. The Divisions were also charged a monthly assessment for the legal retainer, arbitration costs and other matters related to the collective bargaining procedures. The E.I.A. was able to function in this capacity until 1974, when the General Committee called for an ill advised strike that lasted for 81 days, and within tow years, the I.B.E.W. was elected and certified as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for the employees of P.P.&L. Company. With the certification of the I.B.E.W., the 15 divisions of the former E.I.A. locals were combined and 12 units were established which comprised the local union. The primary reason for having 12 units was due to demographics and logistics, for the service territory of Local 1600 encompassed 29 of the 67 counties in the state of Pennsylvania. Within 3 years, it was found that the 12 units could be combined into 7 units, thereby reducing costs and the amount of officers necessary to run the local union. Each of the current units still has it’s own meetings in their respective area, and the organization of the Municipality of Ephrata in 1981 has created another unit. Future organizing will most likely provide additional units, and the Local Union By-Laws provide for new additions if needed. Currently, there are eight units comprising one Local Union. Originally chartered in Bethlehem, PA, the Local has made several moves, one of which was precipitated by a disastrous fire which severally damaged most of its’ records and furnishings. In 1983, Local 1600 purchased two buildings at 540 Grange Road in Trexlertown, PA, and currently services it’s membership from this location. ELECTIONS Former International President Pillard granted a special dispensation to the Local in 1980, which enabled Local 1600 to hold nominations for office in September, with elections to be held in November of the same year. This dispensation was granted because of the on-going conflict of normal elections within the I.B.E.W. and Local 1600’s contractual year-end with Pennsylvania Power and Light Company. All Local and Unit officers are elected for a three-year term. Local 1600 currently has ten (10) Delegates to the International Convention, and they are elected in the election year preceding a Convention, with the President/Financial Secretary being automatically elected as first delegate to the Convention. Nine other Delegates and Alternates are elected at large by the membership, and delegate expenses are paid by the International and the Local Union. A member may be elected to both a Local or Unit office, but may only receive the salary of one office. LOCAL OFFICERS President / Financial Secretary Principal Officer whose title has been combined by special dispensation of the International President. The President / Financial Secretary is elected at-large by the membership, and is the only elected full-time Officer of the Local, and he/she makes all appointments to none elected positions. Salary and duties have been established by the Local Union By-Laws and the International Constitution. In addition to the above duties, the President / Financial Secretary is also the Business Manager of the Local, and must administer to the daily operations of the Local Union. Vice President Elected at-large by the membership, duties are in compliance with the International Constitution and the Local Union’s By-Laws. Not necessarily a paid full-time position, but may serve in a full-time position if appointed by the President / Financial Secretary. If appointed, may only receive one salary. Recording Secretary Elected at-large by the membership, duties are in compliance with the International Constitution and the Local Union’s By-Laws. In addition to the above proscribed duties, the Recording Secretary is responsible for directing the Unit Recorders in the manner of recording the Unit minutes and assembling the minutes for submission as one set of minutes per month. Not necessarily a paid full-time position, but may serve in a full-time position if appointed by President / Financial Secretary. If appointed, may only receive one salary. Treasurer Elected at-large by the membership, duties are in compliance with the International Constitution and the Local Union’s By-Laws. Not necessarily a paid full-time position, but may serve in a full-time position if appointed by President / Financial Secretary. If appointed, may only receive one salary. Chief Stewards Appointed by the President / Financial Secretary, usually in a work place or division where they reside and/or work. The Chief Stewards usually meet in a group meeting at least once a month, and they are responsible for directing the stewards within their respective areas. Chief Stewards are usually involved in the grievance and arbitration procedures, and they report directly to the President / Financial Secretary. Not a paid full-time position, and monthly salary is established by the Local Union By-Laws. Chief Stewards serve at the will and discretion of the President/Financial Secretary. Stewards Appointed by the President/Financial Secretary, usually in a work place or division where they reside and/or work. The Stewards usually met once a month at a place or time called for by the chief steward to who they are assigned, and are involved in all aspects of the grievance procedure and/or arbitration. They are responsible for strict enforcement of the contract. Not a paid full-time position, and monthly salary is established by the Local Union By-Laws. Stewards serve at the will and discretion of the President/Financial Secretary. BUILDING CORPORATION In 1981, a motion was presented to the membership to form a Building Corporation, and a like motion was made and approved in 1983 to purchase the Grange Road buildings. The buildings were renovated to provide for sufficient space, and the second building is currently being leased to the Operating Engineers Local. In 1986 the Local purchased a new computer system, and as a result, Local 1600 is now totally computerized, which enables them to service their membership in a more efficient manner. The President/Financial Secretary serves as the President of the Building Corporation, and all Executive Board members serve as trustees on the Board of Directors. Since receiving its’ charter in 1976, Local 1600, through the advise and guidance of the international Office and the International Representatives assigned to it, has made tremendous strides in the Labor movement in Pennsylvania. Its’ members and officers serve in many capacities as volunteers in State, Federal and Community affairs. Many have been elected to serve as State AFL-CIO Officers, Labor Councils and various other Organizations within the Brotherhood.
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