Existing comment:
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
"Organized labor is here because we are wanted, because we are needed, and because a free democratic society cannot exist without a free trade union movement. And we are here to stay."
-- President Charles Pillard, 1982
Trouble came in the 1970s with an energy crunch, runaway inflation and the decline of North America's industrial base. By the 1980s, large employers and conservative ideologues were dominating political and social life while attacking the labor movement. Though these factors took a toll on membership, the IBEW fought back with aggressive organizing strategies and a renewed commitment to skills training. Today's IBEW remains dedicated to the goals set by the founders: safety, excellence in the craft and social justice. |