President’s Message – September 2024
Exercise Your Right to Vote: Make Your Voice Heard
Hello Brothers and Sisters.
As we enter the final stretch of our political season this year, we encourage our members to make sure they get out and vote. We have a big push in the Antelope Valley D5 area to support George Whitesides for Congress. There will be a few opportunities to precinct walk and to phone bank. Please feel free to reach out to anyone on local union staff for more information on how you can help.
Remember we support people in office that support our labor efforts to get more work for our members. Please exercise your right to vote. Do not be the individuals who feel their vote does not count, every vote counts. My uncle, who passed away not too many years ago, remembered a time where he did not have a right to vote, so it would get under his skin when he would hear people say “I’m not going to vote because my vote does not matter.” This stuck with me, because I could remember seeing the disappointment on his face from hearing people say that. It is important that your voice is heard, and your needs are met. We put people in these offices to ensure our way of life. Let’s make the right decision and make your vote count.
If you are looking for future opportunities to volunteer and help out when needed, please contact your district organizer. There are many opportunities to help out in various ways throughout the local. It is a way to give back to this local that has changed so many of our lives.
On a different note, with the recent interest rate cut and the rumors of near future cuts to come, we are hopeful that this helps to bring more work our way. The majority of projects that are built typically have a loan attached to it for the developers. Currently with the interest rates being as high as they have been, developers have been hesitant to start projects. We are hopeful that in the near future, with more interest rate cuts, developers will loosen up a bit to start these projects. A lot of our contractors are saying they have work on the books, just no start dates. This has been a result of the high interest rates and this has been ongoing over the last year. In addition to the rumored interest rate cuts, we are staying diligent and working with the Building Trades, locally and at the Capital level, to push for more PLA’s, CWA’s (Community Workforce Agreements), and legislation that will lead to more work for our membership.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. Give me a call, text, or email, and let’s talk. I am always available for you.
In Solidarity,
Alton Wilderson
IBEW Local 11
President
