Electrical Workers Respond to Intimidation with a Call for Safety and Solidarity
Kamloops, BC — The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 993 is publicly responding to an attempt to intimidate one of its union organizers with a renewed call for solidarity, safety, and respect for trades workers.
A sign was recently posted at the City Gardens construction site in Kamloops featuring the photo of IBEW 993 organizer Brian Andrews and the words “ATTENTION: Not Permitted on Site.” This site is being constructed non-union, without IBEW involvement. The sign was clearly intended to target and shame Brian for engaging with workers about their rights and safety on the job.
IBEW 993 is choosing to respond not with anger, but with action. The union is launching a multi-channel campaign titled “Union Strong. Union Safe.” to promote the value of unionized work, worker safety, and solidarity. The campaign features a solidarity campaign featuring a replica of the sign with a cut-out where the face was placed, allowing workers and supporters to pose in solidarity.
“We know that organizing can make powerful people uncomfortable,” said Jim Bicknell, Business Manager of IBEW 993. “But our job is to speak up, especially when safety is being compromised. That sign wasn’t just about Brian. It was about every worker who deserves to be heard.”
The public is invited to take part in the solidarity campaign and get their own image like the ones being posted on IBEW 993’s social media by visiting the IBEW 993 office at 873 Desmond during regular business hours or attending one of the upcoming union jobsite events where the sign will be present.
You can view the campaign on any of the IBEW 993 social media accounts
For more information, interviews, or media inquiries, please contact IBEW 993 at [email protected].
About IBEW 993: IBEW Local 993 represents electrical workers in Northern BC and Yukon and is committed to advocating for safety, training, fair wages, and a better future for tradespeople and their families. IBEW 993 believes that safety is the most important thing to ensure that workers make it home to their families. IBEW 993 works with its signatory contractors to ensure good relations, which is shown in the lack of strikes or lockouts in over 40 years.