Local 567 Apprentices Establish IBEW Renew Chapter to Build Solidarity & Engage Younger Members

Young apprentices with IBEW 567 have formed a "Reach out and Engage Next-gen Electrical Workers" (RENEW) chapter to build solidarity and engage, educate, and activate new members to be more involved in their union. The chapter is open to all Local 567 members under the age of 35. The mission of the RENEW initiative is to inspire the next generation of IBEW workers to become more active in their local unions by focusing on issues important to younger workers, building relationships between members and leadership, promoting labor education and informing members about the benefits of union membership.

“The whole idea of RENEW is to be a body in the IBEW to advocate for young people in the union, whether it be through union education and the history of the union or leadership roles, political and labor rights education,” explained IBEW 567 RENEW chair Jenna Schaab of Portland, a 22-year old second-year apprentice. “From my experiences and the people I’ve met so far, there are definitely a lot of young people that care and are passionate about a number of issues.”

Schaab previously worked as a dairy farmer but decided to pursue a career as a union electrician due to the financial challenges of farming. She is now part of the largest apprentice class the local has ever had. She says she loves her job and her union, but wants to foster a better sense of camaraderie and solidarity among her union siblings.

“I think in our local specifically we need a better sense of community that maybe there once was,” said Schaab. “I would love to see RENEW be able to bring back some of that community and get people not just going to work and going home, but be more part of the local.”

The RENEW chapter has planned a number of social activities, including an upcoming “back-to-school” social before classes start in the fall. Schaab has also been exploring ways to advocate for mental health counseling in the union.

Local 567’s RENEW chapter has also been an effective advocate for apprentices in recent contract negotiations. IBEW 567 RENEW members Kilton Webb of Durham and Phil Joseph of Auburn were even able to join the bargaining team to provide a voice for apprentices. As a result, they were able to win significant pension improvements for apprentices after it was defunded during the Great Recession when times were tough. In addition, the new contract also reties the apprentice pension to the higher journeyman’s pension rate.

“That was a big win of ours. Although we weren’t able to fully refund it, we were able to make sure that every apprentice got a dollar into their pension,” said Webb, who recently resigned as RENEW chair to run for the Maine House of Representatives in District 98. “It was a really solid deal for apprentices and I’m really proud of us being able to get that done. And that just comes from us being active and making sure that our voices are being heard.”