Lots of great things happening at IBEW Local 53. Eric Williams, Business Manager for Local 53 has made a commitment to diversity and to bring more women into the local. “These are great paying careers, not just jobs, you have health care, a pension, paid vacations and a number of benefits to go along with the career,” Williams stated.
Several recent moves by Williams included moving two women into leadership positions at the Local and moving a Journeyman Lineman, Eugene Bray into the position of Business Representative. Lisa Mead, who has worked for IBEW Local 53 for the past 18 years as the Executive Assistant was recently promoted to Business Representative and will represent the Board of Public Utilities clerical workers, the KC Streetcar workers, Laclede Electric Coop clerical workers and the Spire Gas clerical workers. “Lisa has such a wealth of knowledge from her time here at the local it just seemed the right fit. Her knowledge will definitely benefit the workers she will represent,” Williams added.
Amanda Pratt will be the new Organizer for Local 53. Amanda, a Journeyman Tree Trimmer in Springfield, MO., will focus on growing the membership and at the same time educate woman to the benefits of working in the electrical trade for IBEW Local 53 signatories.
Eugene Bray comes to the position of Business Representative from the lineman side of the Local. Eugene, who has always worked construction will oversee the dispatching and the construction industry as well as representing New Mac Electric Cooperative workers in Neosha. In addition to their new roles as Business representative and organizer, Amanda and Lisa will be involved with growing the newly formed Women’s Committee. The goal is to educate women members to get involved. “We need more women in the trade,” Williams stated, “But we also want them involved in the Local and taking on more leadership rolls.”
This story was originally published on the previous website for The Labor Beacon. The content of each story from the orginal website has been preserved, but the formatting has not.
