Title
To Recognize and Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of IBEW Local 683
Body
WHEREAS, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) was founded in 1891 as a member of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), and has dedicated itself to advocating for a standard of living that reflects the skills and integrity of its members-; and
WHEREAS, IBEW Local 683 was chartered on November 5, 1924 with 10 electricians and has a long history of fighting for workers, persevering through hardship and strife, to always deliver and improve on the lives of its members and their families by achieving reductions in the hours of daily labor, securing dignified pay, attaining a higher standard of living, and safeguarding the economic security of its members; and
WHEREAS, In its earliest years, Local 683 members wired the historic Neil House hotel and 47-story American Insurance Union Citadel skyscraper, now known as the Leveque Tower, in downtown Columbus; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, Local 683 members helped build the Lockbourne Army Airfield, which is now Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, the large Curtiss-Wright Corporation airplane factory and the massive Columbus Army Service Forces Depot; and
WHEREAS, In the 1950s, Local 683 partnered with its employing contractors to form the Columbus Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, which has since become the Electrical Training Alliance and has trained thousands of union electrical workers in Central Ohio through the Electrical Training Center at no cost to the trainees; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s, Local 683 secured life-enhancing benefits for its members in Healthcare and Pension funds through its collective bargaining with contractors, which the local's membership still receive today through their work agreements with the Columbus Division, Central Ohio Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association; and
WHEREAS, Local 683 members have built many of the major landmarks in Columbus, including the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Hollywood Casino, Nationwide Arena, OSU Hospital, the Wexner Center, and Lower.com Field: and
WHEREAS, IBEW Local 683 has a robust membership of over 2,500 active workers and 500 retirees, covering eight countries in Central Ohio, including Franklin, Delaware, Union, Madison, Fairfield, Clark, Champaign, and Pickaway Counties, consisting of workers who form a critical link in the economic and social lifeblood of the region; and
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council recognizes and celebrates the 100th Anniversary of IBEW Local 683, and their members’ significant contributions to Columbus and Central Ohio.