Business Manager’s Report
In the Month of Thanksgiving, We Have
a Lot To Appreciate

 By Brian D’Arcy, Business Manager, Local 18

Thanksgiving is the most “American” of holidays. Its celebration dates back more or less to the first English settlers who survived the severe winter of 1620-1621. Since then, on the fourth Thursday of November, Americans from all over the country—and sometimes from around the world—have walked, driven, bussed, trained or flown to be with loved ones, and to take some time to reflect on the good things we have. Between stuffed turkeys and bellies, around families and football, no matter how dire the economic, political or social circumstances may be, we have counted our blessings.

We, in the IBEW Local 18 family, are no different.

• I want to thank every Local 18 brother and sister who put their trust and confidence in me for another three years as your Business Manager. I truly appreciate your support more than I can say in a few lines. I have been proud to serve our strong, powerful Union for 12? 15? years. I can think of no better job, no more important responsibility, no more rewarding work, no finer group of people to fight for, than every Local 18 brother, sister and family.

As Employees, As Family Members

• We can be thankful for a good medical health/insurance plan, one that safeguards us and our families. More than 43 million Americans have no health insurance (including over six million in California), and millions more have only the barest of bare-bones coverage. Local 18 members enjoy excellent medical, dental and vision plans, along with a body-scan benefit and other preventative procedures.

• We have a better than industry-standard retirement/pension package. When we retire from our careers of professionalism and service, we know that we and our families will have a secure “safety net” of money and insurance no matter how we choose to spend our retirement. We can be pretty sure that we will have food on the table, a roof over our heads, money for important priorities, and decent medical care.

• We know our work matters. We know we are ably and diligently serving millions of people and businesses throughout Los Angeles and a number of nearby communities. We know that we help provide life-giving water and life-enhancing electric power that—literally—allows people to live, prosper and enjoy what otherwise would be desert terrain.

As Union Members

• We are fortunate that we are members of a determined and influential Union that is respected by both management and the political powers-that-be. We know that, while managers at all levels, in all utilities, come and go, while politicians throughout the region are elected and defeated, IBEW Local 18 will steadfastly continue its sole and sacred mission to represent you and your concerns as strongly and successfully as possible.

• We can take pride and comfort in knowing that Local 18 is a “player” in local, regional and even state politics. We can rest assured that our voice is heard in the corridors of DWP and City Hall, and in other utilities and governing circles within our jurisdiction. We know that our phone calls are returned, our views solicited, and our help—financially, with manpower, and influence—is sought after. We count!

• Every Local 18 brother and sister can be sure that our staff, our business reps, and all our resources, are there whenever you need us. We are here to listen to your ideas, consider your requests, and represent you at every grievance level. Above all, we are proud to promote the idea and values of union, of a body that is greater than its parts, and that continually works on your behalf and for your professional and personal agenda.

• We can work assured, knowing that our job sites are as safe as possible, that both labor and management continue to work together in order to ensure that safety is priority one. We can be confident that both job promotion and career enhancement opportunities will be available because we stress professional training and education, and make sure that management joins us in this task.

As Americans

• However you voted on Election Day, whatever your partisan and ballot-initiative priorities were, we certainly can be thankful that, once again, the electoral process worked. That people decided with ballots, not bullets. That voices on both sides of the key issues, in the important races, had their say, and then we decided based on our own beliefs, in secret. Whatever the problems in our country, our system—sometimes haltingly, sometimes frustratingly—works.

How else to account for the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series after 86 years? Talk about a group of people having something to be grateful for this Thanksgiving!

A happy, safe and enjoyable holiday to every IBEW Local 18 brother, sister and family!

In unity,

BRIAN D’ARCY, Business Manager