By Carolyn Livengood
San Mateo County Times
Article Last Updated: 09/19/2008 07:48:07 PM PDT
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 617 celebrated 100 years of brightening San Mateo County on Aug. 16 when more than 900 past and present electricians, dignitaries and guests attended a dinner and dance at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame.
Local 617's business manager Dominic Nolan and president Mark Leach were co-hosts of the once-in-a-lifetime "A Century of Evolution to Power the Future" gala. The Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums of San Francisco opened the event and political satirist Will Durst served as emcee.
Speakers included IBEW International president Edwin Hill, of Washington, D.C.; Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough; Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco; Burlingame Mayor Rosalie O'Mahoney; and San Mateo Police Chief Susan Manheimer. Workers from many other unions also attended.
"Founded in 1908, Local 617 was granted its charter by IBEW May 1, 1908," said Leach. "It built an apprenticeship program to train workers in San Mateo County for a booming postwar economy and today provides training and resources for thousands of electrical workers. It continues to advocate for workers, always reaching out to unrepresented electrical workers and growing to 1,242 active and retired members."
Dedicated to community involvement in San Mateo County, Local 617 has funded and installed scoreboards on more than 40 sports fields and ball courts in partnership with educational institutions and local parks throughout the county. It has also organized several blood drives, funded and sponsored County Fair projects for 4-H clubs and restored the dome lighting on the old Redwood City Courthouse.
Along with other building trade unions, Local 617 has been and continues to be involved in the creation, funding and success of the Building Futures program at the San Mateo Adult School's SMART Center. It is also involved in and has supported San Mateo County Jobs for Youth.
Local 617's unique and educational Electrical Museum at 1701 Leslie St. in San Mateo welcomes school and community groups to visit between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. For large groups, call 650-574-4239 in advance.
The local also works closely with other labor organizations to ensure safe and productive job sites.
"Congratulations on your 100-year history," Edwin Hill said. "You keep us safe and secure at home, at work, and when we're out in the public, because you are highly skilled and outstandingly dedicated to your craft and to the public." Hill thanked county employers for working cooperatively with the union on the job and supporting the apprentice program. On an separate note, Hill pointed out that women played an early role in creating IBEW by forming their own local chapter in 1897 in Cleveland.
"Unions will grow," said Leach. "Prepare to be part of that change. Prepare your heart and open your mind. Honor all labor. Value all workers. Unions with over 100 years of experience and strength will be the standard bearers."
"Tonight we have gathered an incredible collection of electrical workers," said Nolan, as a video was shown of those who started the local. "Here in 2008, it is a safe bet that no one here tonight will be at the 200-year celebration. If we follow the lead of our founders, it is a safe bet that the union will be here in 2108!"
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