2025’s IBEW Government Affairs Conference opened Nov. 17 to nearly 450 members, a record number of IBEW attendees.
In this story: The two-day event held steps away from the Capitol follows blowout election victories for pro-labor candidates across the country just two weeks earlier.
Despite the recent government shutdown and lingering air traffic hiccups, members traveled to D.C. for the hands-on conference.
State of play: “Members are genuinely interested in the state of politics and want to know what the IBEW is doing to help them engage in the political process,” said Champaign-Urbana Local 601member Jarrett Clem, who is also a Sixth District international representative.
The big picture: In spite of the political nature of the conference, President Kenny Cooper and Government Affairs Director Dean Warsh emphasized the non-partisan nature of IBEW government affairs work.
“The IBEW is not, and never will be, a partisan organization,” Cooper said, adding that “we will fight like hell against anyone who tries to take away our rights.”
Today, more than 600 IBEW members hold public office, with 25 elected in November, Warsh said. In Virginia and New Jersey, pro-worker governors won by a wide margin.
Asbury Park, N.J. Local 400 member Wyatt Earp, Third District international representative, said the country was watching on Election Day.
“People in states that didn’t vote are ready to get into the fight,” Earp said, echoing several speakers who emphasized the midterm elections in 2026, when state, local and federal races will once again determine the balance of power in Washington and in state capitals.
Delegates took in a wide range of workshops, speakers and discussions on legislation, communications, political fundraising, grassroots mobilization, legal updates and more.
Why it matters: The Trump administration’s cancellation of billions in renewable energy spending, while electricity prices soar, came up repeatedly.
“We want a modern energy infrastructure,” Cooper said. “The only thing we have managed to do is cut taxes for the rich.”
Recruiting internal leadership: With many first-time conference attendees in the crowd, next-generation leadership was a consistent theme. Director Warsh suggested that leadership was not about attracting followers, but building more leaders.
Rodney Rice, Cumberland Local 307 business manager, agreed. He was appointed to the local’s apprenticeship committee just as he topped out of his training in 1998.
“I was surprised because I was so young,” Rice said. Yet that appointment initiated a career-long commitment to leadership. Business manager for the past14 years, he has remained on the apprenticeship committee ever since.
Hitting the Hill: IBEW delegations fanned out across House and Senate offices for 176 advocacy meetings to discuss permit reform and an all-of-the-above energy policy. Collective bargaining rights and labor standards were also big topics.
Addressing delegates before the Hill blitz, Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona said the only people coming to his office to lobby for working families are union members.
“You are the only voice for millions of Americans who are struggling right now,” he said. “If unions aren’t there to speak up for them, no one is.”
Rep. Chris Deluzio, who represents the Pittsburgh area, posted on Facebook about his meeting with IBEW members. “Want to unrig our economy, break unchecked corporate power, and level the playing field for workers? That requires worker power on the job. I’m a proud Labor Caucus member and had a good meeting with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers down in Washington this week.”
Organize and mobilize: IBEW Secretary-Treasurer Paul Noble challenged delegates to bring their activism home.
“I don’t care what party you’re a member of. All I care about is this: will you fight for the IBEW?” Noble said. “Will you do your duty as a union member and stand in solidarity with any worker under attack?”
Photo caption: An IBEW delegation meets on Capitol Hill with Illinois Rep. Nikki Budzinski, center, on Nov. 18.