Nearly 75 IBEW members from across the country served as delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. This year’s IBEW’s delegation was the largest of all the building trades. On the last night of the convention they made an impression in neon-green shirts and hardhats. [Here’s a link to the IBEW’s DNC highlight video.]
“I could look across the entire arena and see IBEW everywhere,” Iowa delegate Patrick Wells said of the glow-in-the-dark shirts. “We clearly stood out.”
Wells, an Eleventh District international representative, said the hardhats and shirts attracted a lot of positive attention. “It was nothing but pure energy.”
President Kenneth W. Cooper addressed the convention from the main stage podium on the first night. He told the crowd at the United Center that Vice President Harris is bringing back American manufacturing, family-sustaining jobs, and strong pensions. Most importantly, he pointed out that her plans include union labor.
“She’s not afraid to say the word UNION, ” Cooper declared. “She’s come through for us, so we’ll come through for her.”
Wisconsin delegate Shawn Reents said the IBEW and other labor unions are standing behind the Harris-Walz team because workers will be better off with their administration.
“They know our issues. When you see them on the picket lines, it shows their level of support,” said Reents, a Sixth District international representative. “And it’s not just unions that benefit from their labor friendly administration.”
IBEW members, officers, and staff are among 50,000 delegates, elected and party officials, labor leaders, celebrities, media, and volunteers that attended the DNC in August. Delegates endorse the party platform and officially nominate the party’s candidates.
