Political Action

1837 Honored for Protecting Union Utility Jobs

IBEW Local 1837 was honored at the 17th Annual National Labor and Management Public Affairs Committee (LAMPAC) conference in Washington, D.C., for its successful efforts in protecting hundreds of union utility jobs in Maine. 

In March, Assistant Business Manager, Renee Gilman, accepted the Edwin D. Hill Award, on behalf of the union. The award is named after the former IBEW International President who co-founded LAMPAC with the Edison Electrical Institute in 2007.

"Right-to-Work" defeated in NH House

Updated March 1, 2024 --  The so-called "Right-to-Work"  bill died in the New Hampshire House thanks to support from union members across the Granite State.  In late-February, the House voted 212 to 168 to "indefinitely postpone," HB1377-FN.  This defeat comes after union members and allies delivered passionate testimony against the anti-worker legislation during two public hearings in Concord in early January and early February.

 

Postal Pickets to preserve timely mail delivery

February 23, 2024 -- This Saturday, February 24th, Postal Workers (APWU) and community members will be holding informational pickets in five communities in the Bangor area.  This solidarity action is in response to a USPS proposal that would delay mail deliveries for USPS customers in Northern and Central Maine.   Click here to read more about this plan and the potential impacts.

So-Called "Right to Work" Bills Tabled in New Hampshire and Maine

April 11, 2012 - The NH Senate voted today to table repeat so-called "Right to Work" legislation, acknowledging the legislation would fail but leaving the door open for anti-worker/anti-union House Speaker William O’Brien.

Following the vote, New Hampshire workers, labor leaders and community allies expressed hope that the Senate would take a similar approach to additional anti-worker bills from the House and move on to more important issues.

Maggie Hassan Gets Rare IBEW 1837 Endorsement for NH Gov. in Final Weeks of Campaign

October 24, 2012 - The last two years have seen exhausting battles in Concord and Augusta against so-called “Right to Work” bills and other anti-worker initiatives. It is only because of the sustained, excellent work of labor activists and allies in both states that we were able to minimize the damage against working people and their unions.

Election 2014: Gubernatorial Contests are Top Labor Concern

October 22, 2014 - Re-election campaigns for the Governors of New Hampshire and Maine have been getting plenty of attention from members of IBEW Local #1837 and other pro-worker groups. New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan has been a consistent union ally while Maine Governor Paul LePage has supported union-busting “Right to Work” legislation. Both are seeking their second terms on Tuesday, November 4.

IBEW 1837 Members Play Important Role in Defeating NH "Right to Work" Bill

February 20, 2017 - Members and retirees from IBEW 1837 joined with their union Brothers and Sisters throughout the Granite State and helped defeat a so-called “Right to Work” bill in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, 200 – 177. By doing so, the state’s Labor Movement overcame tremendous odds in thwarting a top policy priority of new Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who had GOP majorities in both bodies of the state legislature.

So-called “Right to Work” was narrowly approved by the Senate, 12 – 11, although its passage there was never really in doubt. 

IBEW 1837 Members Help Bring "Labor 2008" Into Their Workplaces

May 29, 2008 - The Democratic Party may not have officially chosen their presidential candidate yet, but IBEW 1837’s Worksite Coordinators have already begun to take a look at some of the issues in this year’s presidential campaign. In the case of the presumptive Republican nominee, they don’t always like what they see.

Sign Me Up for Labor 2008 with the Maine and New Hampshire AFL-CIO!

IBEW Local 1837 members are teaming up with our brothers and sisters from other AFL-CIO unions to fight for a brighter future for workers across the United States. Now is a great time to make your union voice heard loud and clear as we prepare to elect a new President as well as other representatives at the federal, state and local level. In fact, Maine and New Hampshire have been identified as two of the six “battleground states” with competitive races that could impact the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.

IBEW 1837 Business Manager Addresses FCC Hearing

IBEW 1837 Business Manager Cynthia Phinney participated in a panel presenting testimony to the FCC in a hearing on media ownership on Thursday, June 28, 2007. The hearing was one of several held around the country over the past year for FCC Commissioners to hear directly from people in communities their thoughts and experiences about media ownership and localism. While most of the panelists focussed on local content and community involvement issues, IBEW 1837 has a special relationship with the media.