WHEREAS, Local 98 has built a democratic local union that allows workers a voice in determining their role at the workplace, in the union and in the community; and
WHEREAS, Local 98’s legacy can be seen in the neighborhoods, buildings, commercial and industrial areas, and community centers around us; and
WHEREAS, On January 5, 1900 the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers admitted Local 98 who at the time organized for ten hour work days and $.20 to $.25 an hour; and
WHEREAS, In the 1920’s, Local 98 initiated efforts to defeat “open shop” campaigns that threatened the very existence of unions, as well as launched organizing efforts expanding their jurisdiction to Camden, Chester, Norristown and Trenton; and
WHEREAS, In 1924, Local 98 began work on the Sesquicentennial Celebration to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the United States by wiring the Sesquicentennial buildings at Broad and Pattison; and
WHEREAS, During the Great Depression work was so scarce, and Local 98 members so benevolent, that while working on the PSFS building union members rotated work so that it could be shared among the members; and
WHEREAS, In 1930, the union launched a training program for apprentices attended by over three hundred individuals at Simon Gratz High School. The program led later to an agreement with the school district to hold vocational training at Bok Vocational School on Saturdays; and
WHEREAS, The 1940’s saw many positive achievements for the Local including work at the Navy Yard building dry docks and Frankford Arsenal in the war effort and establishing a Health and Welfare plan as well as a vacation and unemployment relief program; and
WHEREAS, In the 1950’s, Local 98 instituted a dues protection plan, still in use today, designed to maintain union membership for members who were out of work; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960’s Local 98 fought the wave of non-union contracting led by the Associated Builder’s and Contractors (ABC) by launching a campaign to unionize ABC shops. The campaign allowed Local 98 to represent 250 electrical workers who previously had no union protection; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, Local 98 established a Pension fund for its members who contributed $.15 an hour into the plan: and
WHEREAS, On January 9, 1973, Local 98 continued its tradition of excellence in training by opening its new training center; and
WHEREAS, In the 1970’s and the 1980’s Local 98 continued its benevolence towards its members and the community by instituting a compulsory vacation plan to provide work for members who were unemployed, by voluntarily wiring community facilities throughout Philadelphia, and establishing a Local 98 Deferred Income fund for its members; and
WHEREAS, In the 1990’s Local 98 under the leadership of John Dougherty, continued its tradition of excellence by enhancing its training and apprenticeship program to include classes in codes, blueprint reading, electrical theory and mathematics; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Mr. Dougherty, Local 98 reversed its trend towards unemployment and decline by expanding and strengthening the political program, improving union benefit programs, negotiating a Code of Conduct with the School District, expanding and improving the apprenticeship training program, negotiating an exclusivity agreement with the Philadelphia Airport, organizing workers in the broadcast industry, and expanding neighborhood and community participation in the building trades and building trades participation in community projects; now therefore
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Honor Local 98, I.B.E.W., its officers and members on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the installation of their charter and that we join Local 98 in greeting friends in attendance and those who could not attend; and be it further,
RESOLVED FURTHER, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Wish continued success to the members of Local 98, I.B.E.W. members and officers and that we note our appreciation for all of their efforts in the City of Philadelphia and that we express our gratefulness to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for helping to make Philadelphia the “City of Brotherly Love”; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That a true and correct copy of this resolution be presented to Local 98 on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the installation of their charter.
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