History
of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Local 595
The year
was 1906 when Local 595 was granted its Charter by the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Those
early years were difficult times for the labor movement.
Union workers were fighting to be recognized as a very
important part of American society. Organized workers joined
together to speak as one, to have the right to receive
decent wages, reasonable working hours and a safe workplace.
In the early 1900’s the Oakland Police Department
and City Officials made things very difficult initiating
many instances of harassment. However, the membership was
not discouraged and continued moving steadily forward in
numbers.
Many
of our members were called to serve our country during
both World War I and World War II. At the same time, many
stayed home to support the War efforts by providing the
skills needed during these trying times. Local 595, during
World War II, flourished to 6,000 members, mostly marine
electricians. With the return of many veterans after World
War II, Local 595 was faced with supplying electricians
to construct homes, commercial buildings and manufacturing
plants. These were good times for Local 595 and one of
the most important events was the development of a formal
Apprenticeship Training Program, which has continued growing
over the past 55 years and is one of the key reasons we
have been able to enjoy a high degree of professionalism
and highly skilled and qualified electricians.
Since
Local Union 595’s beginning, we have moved from conducting
Union Meetings at the homes of members, to rented social
halls, to eventually purchasing our own Union Hall located
at 1918 Grove Street, Oakland, California, to our present
location in Dublin, California, which is recognized as
one of the finest Union Halls in the IBEW. In the 1960’s
there was a great desire by the leadership of Local 595
under the direction of Business Manager, Thomas J. Sweeney,
to provide a retirement program which was greatly needed
in the electrical construction industry. At that time,
our Local Pension Program was born and today Local 595
has one of the best retirement plans in the country. During
the 70’s and 80’s the economy was having its
ups and downs.
Union
membership was declining and it was very obvious that if
the Union did not act, membership would continue to decline.
The government, at that time, under the control of anti-union
legislatures, was doing its best to assist in the decline
of organized labor.
A whole
new attitude took place within the Union. We converted
back to the philosophies held at the beginning of the century
with Local 595: to organize new members and contractors.
Our Union, realizing this, began to take the necessary
efforts to increase membership and market share of the
electrical industry. Local 595 implemented programs such
as Local 595 ’s Picket Policy, hired a full time
Organizer, established a Market Recovery (Target) Program,
and most of all, developed a better understanding between
management and labor on how to work in harmony to fill
the needs of both parties. This led to the establishment
of a Labor Management Cooperative Committee (LMCC). From
that the more recent program, Mission 2000, was developed
whereby Local Unions 180, 302 and 595 along with NECA Chapters
pooled their resources with the objective of gaining greater
market share for organized electrical industry.
The 90’s were one of the most exciting decades of Local 595. One thing
that stood out was the merger of Local 591, Stockton, into Local 595 as mandated
by International President J.J. Barry in April 1994. His action put two great
Locals together to create an even greater Local Union. At that time there were
some reservations concerning the merger. But since then, both Local memberships
have begun to see a brighter future and more job opportunities in the expansion
of construction projects throughout Alameda, San Joaquin and Calaveras Counties
which is driven by the demand for more space for the population growth.
Currently,
the Union is enjoying economical growth, State and Federal
government legislatures that are more sensitive to working
men and women and an increase of Union electrical contractors,
while there is a decline of non-union workers and contractors
throughout Alameda, San Joaquin and Calaveras counties.
The aggressive approach of the organizing program and a
spirit of labor and management working together has given
us the recognition of being one of the strongest Locals
in the IBEW. There are many people in our industry who
look up to us in Local Union 595 for leadership and direction.
This success and strength lies with its members who are
progressive and willing in their actions and thoughts.
Today
we represent one of the largest IBEW Locals and have a
variety of classifications: Marine, Motor Shop, Lighting
and Maintenance, Manufacturing, Sound and Communication,
Public Employees, Duct Workers, Neon Sign, Maintenance
and Inside Wireman. It is interesting to note that our
membership is pushing 2000 members at the time we are entering
the Year 2000. The Inside Wireman unit represents 75% of
the total membership. It is our belief that we will enjoy
greater growth, a strong union and prosperity for our members
and their families far into the future.
It is
our belief that we will continue to enjoy greater growth,
a strong union, and prosperity for our members and their
families far into the next millennium.
Many
of our members were called to serve our country during
both World War I and World War II. At the same time, many
stayed home to support the War efforts by providing the
skills needed during these trying times. Local 595, during
World War II, flourished to 6,000 members, mostly marine
electricians. With the return of many veterans after World
War II, Local 595 was faced with supplying electricians
to construct homes, commercial buildings and manufacturing
plants. These were good times for Local 595 and one of
the most important events was the development of a formal
Apprenticeship Training Program, which has continued growing
over the past 55 years and is one of the key reasons we
have been able to enjoy a high degree of professionalism
and highly skilled and qualified electricians.
Since
Local Union 595’s beginning, we have moved from conducting
Union Meetings at the homes of members, to rented social
halls, to eventually purchasing our own Union Hall located
at 1918 Grove Street, Oakland, California, to our present
location in Dublin, California, which is recognized as
one of the finest Union Halls in the IBEW. In the 1960’s
there was a great desire by the leadership of Local 595
under the direction of Business Manager, Thomas J. Sweeney,
to provide a retirement program which was greatly needed
in the electrical construction industry. At that time,
our Local Pension Program was born and today Local 595
has one of the best retirement plans in the country. During
the 70’s and 80’s the economy was having its
ups and downs.
Currently,
the Union is enjoying economical growth, State and Federal
government legislatures that are more sensitive to working
men and women and an increase of Union electrical contractors,
while there is a decline of non-union workers and contractors
throughout Alameda, San Joaquin and Calaveras counties.
The aggressive approach of the organizing program and a
spirit of labor and management working together has given
us the recognition of being one of the strongest Locals
in the IBEW. There are many people in our industry who
look up to us in Local Union 595 for leadership and direction.
This success and strength lies with its members who are
progressive and willing in their actions and thoughts.