n - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

argaining table with the employer and in every unit where full representation for the members is a daily
re ality. Th e local union also has committees which take ac tive roles in civic and community affairs. Th e
photographs on these two pages show some of the committees wh ich help make the union functions of
Loca l 1859 a story of progre ss.
the bargaining uni t.
The first t raining prog r am
stressed union leadership. Sessions
were conduc ted by qualified pe rsons
from wi thin the teaching profession.
with emphasis on experienced persons
from the Dcpartmelll of Laor,
Roosevelt University, the University
of Wisconsin. the University
of Illinois, the Federal Mediation
and Conciliation Service, and the
National Labor Relations Board.
In addition 10 classes cond ucted
at the loca l's headqua rters, certain
omcers, Executive Board members,
and shop stewards attended specialized
labor relations courses at various
universities. The effectiveness
of the educational trai ning has
proved its worth in the loca l's accomplishments
at the bargaining
table and in its impressive representation
of its membership in all
phases of employment.
It soon became apparent that,
beca use of the size of the barga ining
uni t, the complicated laws that
had developed, and the extent of
daily sessions held with management,
a capable offiecr, one who
was skilled in the educ.Hional process,
would be needed to supervise
and direct (he training of union
personnel.
JOURNAL FOR MAY, 1971
Charles Schaffer, an Executive
Board member, was appointed
chai rman of the Educational Committec,
and he has properly chnnnelcd
the local's representatives into
training in courses that have proved
very fruitful. While the accomplishments
have, primarily. been the
results of efforts by the local union,
the ingenuity, willingness, and cooperation
of the members and those
taking the various courses have also
been required.
In order to carry out the ed ucation
programs, careful consideration
was given to utilizing the facilit ies
of a universi ty. The Labor Division
of Roosevelt University W:lS selected
for :lssistanee in the formation of
classes in labor leadership. TIle first
classes involved stewa rd training,
arbitration and mediation, cOnlract
languagc, and leadership. The
courses have been broadened over
the years.
Special significance W:1S placed
upon the needs of the production
workcrs, irr view of the f:lci Ihal a
large portion of the b:lrgaining unit
consists of employees assigned to
the production field. Consequently,
a thorough understanding of job
evaluation and piece rates has been
required of shop stewards directly
involved in the daily representation
of these workers.
Hugh Young, Recording Secretary,
has been chairman of the
Wage Incentive Committee since its
inception. As a result of his di ligcnce,
b:lckground and training in
production methods, piece rates,
and time and motion studies, the
wages of production workers have,
not only been carefully guarded, but
have, in most cases, been increased.
[n Ihe production field, job vacancies
frequently occur; consequcntly,
the MovemCnt of Per·
sonncl Committee serves a very
import:llll func tion. nle committee
carefully screens all jobs to be cer·
tain that proper individuals arc
granted advancement, based upon
their ability and seniority. This
tedious work by the commi ttee has
been capably performed, and the
job rights of the unit membe rs have
been fully protected.
Wit h a membership as large as
that of Local 1859, numerous grievances
arise from lime to lime. Two
capable officers have been appointed
to and have served the Grievance
Committee well-Vice President
Robert Gorman and Executive
Board member David Uric, who
have becn co-chairmen of the com-
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