Dear Sisters and Brothers,

On December 9^th, 2011, Larry Bell tendered his resignation as the Business Manager/Financial Secretary for IBEW Local 1547. It is the responsibility of your Executive Board to find a replacement in such an event.

I feel honored that your Executive Board has chosen me to fill this position. I am not new to this game; I have been a hard-working IBEW Local 1547 member for over 30 years and have been active at Larry’s side as your Assistant Business Manager since his first term. I sincerely believe I was the right choice to fill the role of Business Manager/Financial Secretary and I am grateful to the Executive Board for their faith in me.

Let me reassure all IBEW 1547 members that I will keep our union engaged, alive and strong. The ship has been sailing smoothly so far and I do not intend to make waves. There will be no disruptions in the daily business of your local union. I will address any possible day-to-day changes accordingly. It is my desire as your Business Manager to see our Local continue to grow in stature and in reputation.

Please be aware that Local 1547’s finances are good, our staff is trained and representative of all areas of our various membership properties, and our Trust Funds are under good stewardship.

I extend a personal “thank you” to those of you who have already expressed your congratulations and well wishes. Many of you know me already; for those that do not, I look forward to meeting and working with all IBEW 1547 members in my new capacity as Business Manager. To all members, it is my hope that you will attend our monthly membership meetings in your jurisdiction and that you, too, will participate and be active in keeping our Local ahead in its leadership role in the community, the State and the Brotherhood.

I look forward to meeting each of you at some time during the next few years as we continue to grow our Local.

Fraternally,

Mike Hodsdon

Business Manager/Financial Secretary

IBEW Local Union 1547

While meeting and discussing issue with legislators, Business Manager Mike Hodsdon, Community and Membership Development Coordinator Jay Rhodes, and Asst. Business Manager (Ketchikan) Denny Zeiser, visit and share coffee with Ketchikan Senator Bert Stedman.

Also, take a listen to our Ketchikan E-board member and Journeyman Technician Sven Westergard speaking about his choices in becoming an IBEW apprentice and turning out as a highly skilled telecommunications technician living and working in Alaska. 

SvenWestergard Ketchikan v2.mp3

Solar Panel Training

Please review the flyer titled "Solar Training" attached below.

Are you a Community Volunteer?

We want to know what you do and where you're doing it.  Please, take some time and share with us a few pictures and a brief commentary on what you do in the community.  Be sure to be in the picture and hopefully, wear your Local Union signature clothing when it is appropriate to do so.  We'll post your story and pictures on this website!  Send it to:  webmaster@ibew1547.org

Listen to our latest radio advertisement from Cordova, Alaska.

At the bottom of this column, click on the audio program to hear Jry Lineman Roy Srb speak about his experience with the IBEW and its effect on his life in Cordova.

IBEW Cordova.mp3

Solar Training Schedule.pdf

Please take the time to review this video from Nobel Memorial Prize winner Paul Krugman as he is honored by the Economic Policy Institute.  Also, if you want to understand why we fignt so hard to change the dynmaics we see in Washington, DC, please "click" or cut and paste this link --- http://www.stateofworkingamerica.org/  --- into your web browser. 

We hope that the information it provides to you will enable you to have a greater understanding of why it is so important that each of us be involved in the political discussion of who we elect. 

Webmaster