Election 2024 = Good Jobs

At IBEW 11 headquarters, my focus and the focus of the entire staff is on the Nov. 5 election. There’s so much at stake in this election. I know you’ve heard it before, but we have a stark choice before us in this November’s election and our future construction jobs depend on the choices we make.

Let me explain. President Biden has done so much for working men and women and the labor movement – saving pensions, lowering prescription drugs, and most notably, authoring and signing the Inflations Reduction Act (IRA) that promotes clean energy and encourages billions of dollars in infrastructure construction. But we must finish the job.

That is why we are dedicating so much time and resources to making sure the labor-friendly candidates are elected – not only to the White House, but also to Congress. Because one without the other will not give us the results we need to create good middle class jobs and a strong economy for all.

We are sending staff and some IBEW 11 members to the battleground state of Nevada to help Get Out the Vote (GOTV). They will be knocking on doors of our fellow IBEW members in Nevada explaining the importance of this election and why we are recommending they vote the Harris/Walz ticket. We are putting our money and effort into this race, putting boots on the ground. We also are hosting a representative from the IBEW International who is coordinating the volunteer efforts of many of the IBEW locals in Southern California. We will also be phone banking for Arizona – another battleground state.

So that is why we are calling on you to help us – Register. Volunteer. Vote. You can register until Oct. 21 by mail, but you can also register in person up until Nov. 5, with your ballot counted as a provisional vote. Please volunteer to help us phone bank: See the flyer in this newsletter. And then Vote! Vote your wallet. Vote for the candidates who care about working families like ours.

The choice is stark – at the top of the ticket, you can choose an anti-union builder who calls members of the military suckers, is a convicted felon, and has vowed to stop the IRA and the billions of dollars allocated to it, or you can vote for the candidate who will continue the pro-worker policies of the Biden administration. It’s the prosecutor versus the felon. The choice is clear. That’s why the IBEW has enthusiastically endorsed the Harris/Walz ticket.

We are on the cusp of history – the possibility of electing the first woman president. As a father of three daughters, that is a very big deal. It means a lot to me personally to see such a capable woman rise to this position.

So remember. Register, volunteer, vote. Make the right decision for you and your family.

Three other quick notes

Allocation votes are coming up for the Sound and Communications members November 2, followed by Inside Wireman allocations on November 23, and finally Intelligent Transportation on December 2. Remember, you have to show up in person to cast your vote for these important decisions on how to apportion your well-earned, well-deserved raises.

With the holiday season coming up, IBEW 11’s EWMC will be hosting its annual clothing drive for the homeless. Please be generous and drop off any gently used clothing and new hygiene products for LA’s homeless population. See announcement in this newsletter.

And finally, the work picture is holding steady, but we all know winter is traditionally a slow time. Your union is working hard to make sure you have work. We can look forward to Refinery turnarounds starting up soon, beginning with the Paramount refinery. And the Convention Center renovation will be starting soon.

Thank you all for allowing me to lead this great union. #IBEW11Strong.

In unity,

Robert Corona
Business Manager