[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9825]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF LOCAL 702 OF THE INTERNATIONAL 
                   BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 2011

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring the 100th anniversary of Local 702 of the International 
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), headquartered in West 
Frankfort, Illinois.
  In 1911, the labor movement in the United States was in a period of 
rapid growth. Our economy was beginning its shift from agriculture to 
manufacturing and more of the population was becoming concentrated in 
metropolitan areas. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, in 1911, 
tragically exposed unsafe working conditions and provided fuel for the 
rise of organized labor. Also in 1911, a small group of electrical 
workers near Herrin, Illinois, petitioned the International Brotherhood 
of Electrical Workers for a charter.
  The founders of Local 702 wanted the pay and working conditions of 
those in the electrical trade to be commensurate with those of other 
skilled craftsmen and they knew the only way to accomplish this was to 
organize. They quickly began the task of working with area utility 
companies, and the first recorded bargaining contract was dated January 
31, 1917, with the Central Illinois Public Service Company.
  During the Great Depression, as our Nation struggled with record 
levels of unemployment, many members of Local 702 were out of work for 
prolonged periods. In a display of solidarity, the working members of 
Local 702 accepted an assessment on their wages that provided relief 
funding for their unemployed brothers. Loans from Local 702 provided a 
critical lifeline during the 1930's and some are still being retired 
today.
  IBEW Local 702 considers itself to be a progressive, active local. 
From its founding as a bargaining unit for electrical workers, Local 
702 has expanded to represent workers in many different fields, 
including manufacturing, instrument technicians, broadcast engineers, 
and nursing. While the primary focus of the local is the representation 
of its members, they are also vested in being a positive influence 
within their communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
leadership and members of Local 702 of the International Brotherhood of 
Electrical Workers as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary and to 
wish them continued success in the future.

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