For three nights in late July, 115 union volunteers knocked on the doors of over 650 non-union electricians to invite them to join IBEW Local 48. More experienced volunteers were paired with less experienced. Reactions were positive. Local 48 organizer Matt Smyth said many non-union electricians understand that the union has helped set the industry standards they already enjoy. Over a dozen of those contacted have since reached out to the union about joining.
Local 48 has a large and active group of volunteer organizers — members who give their time to grow their union by talking to non-union electricians. They were joined by about 20 members from other locals. Local 48 returns the favor, sending experienced organizers when those locals have a push. Because electricians are licensed, their names and addresses are public.
Though it was a volunteer effort, Smyth joked that some bribes were involved — members got a t-shirt modeled on the Smokey Bear campaign with the words “only you can promote the union.” And after two or three hours of house calls, they met up for fellowship at a pizza joint or a sports bar.
