Dear Sisters and Brothers:
Attached is the second installment of the monthly newsletter that has been
initiated to keep members informed about the new presidential administration. Please read
and circulate it to the general membership. The Biden administration is barely six weeks
old, but it is operating overtime to get the United States back on its feet.
Every day, President Biden recognizes the primacy of American workers,
collective bargaining and the labor movement. Two weeks ago, American Federation of
Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) President Trumka, other labor
leaders and myself spent 90 minutes in the Oval Office speaking with President Biden and
Vice President Harris about apprenticeships, infrastructure legislation and pensions. Then,
President Biden cancelled the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP),
which could have diluted the gold-standard apprenticeships that the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and its signatory contractors operate. Just five
days ago, President Biden came out with a video recognizing collective bargaining rights
and calling out employers who attempt to bust organizing campaigns. Never before has a
president been so public in their support of the values that the IBEW holds dear.
Those are just two examples of what can be found in the attached newsletter. I
encourage you to distribute it to your members and discuss the content at monthly
meetings. Also, please feel free to include its material in your own letters and
communications to rank-and-file members.
Thank you for your assistance in getting this information out, as it is critically
important that IBEW members stay informed.
With best wishes, I am
Fraternally yours,
Lonnie R. Stephenson
International President
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