December 22, 2015 – The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union #1837 Executive Board has voted to endorse Bernie Sanders for President in the New Hampshire Democratic Primary and the Maine Democratic Caucus.
“Bernie Sanders has a 35-year record standing shoulder-to-shoulder with workers and supporting the labor movement,” said IBEW Local #1837 President Bill Tarallo. “How our members vote is their personal decision but our E-Board wanted to recognize the tremendous work that Senator Sanders has done supporting the right of unions to organize, fighting against unfair trade deals and in support of higher wages for working people. He has the best labor record of any presidential candidate in more than a generation.”
The Union’s E-Board is made up of rank and file workers elected by the members to represent them. They also applauded Bernie Sanders’ support of IBEW and CWA union members during the recent successful strike at FairPoint in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, where he joined striking workers on the picket line and demanded the company agree to a fair contract.
“Beyond his stellar labor record, Bernie Sanders has defended Social Security and stood up to Wall Street,” Tarallo continued. “His support of public education and our nation’s veterans also deserves our recognition.”
The IBEW Local #1837 endorsement does not include any financial support. No IBEW Local #1837 union dues money is ever donated to political candidates and it is prohibited by federal law.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local #1837 is proud to represent approximately 1,600 working men and women all over Maine and New Hampshire. Most of our members work at electric utilities or broadcasting stations throughout the two states.