One hundred percent of Kennedy for MA staff vote for IBEW Local 103 representation
DORCHESTER, MA Staff members of Kennedy for Massachusetts, the campaign to elect Joe Kennedy III for U.S. Senate, have become the newest members of IBEW Local 103, one of Boston’s largest and most influential unions. One hundred percent of the staff voted in favor of authorizing IBEW Local 103 as their official union representation earlier in May. Today, the campaign workers also announced that they have officially voted to ratify their labor contract with the campaign. Negotiations between staff and campaign management took just three business days and resulted in one of the most progressive campaign contracts to date. Congressman Joe Kennedy III, a staunch advocate for organized labor and for workers’ rights, offered voluntary union recognition to his campaign’s staff as a way to help further ensure that the people working toward his election enjoy the same fairness and respect that he is fighting to win for workers nationwide. “The right to unionize and collectively bargain is sacred in this country,” said Congressman Joe Kennedy III. “I am incredibly proud to see our values in action on Kennedy for Massachusetts and grateful to the dedicated staff members and bargaining committee that worked around the clock to deliver the most progressive campaign union contract to date. IBEW Local 103 sets the gold standard when it comes to fighting for economic fairness for every American worker — and I could not be prouder to formalize our affiliation with them. Together, we will be fighting tooth and nail for a country that again delivers basic economic justice to all.” “We applaud Congressman Joe Kennedy and his campaign for walking the walk when it comes to workers’ rights on every job, no matter where you work or who you work for,” said IBEW Local 103 Business Manager/Financial Secretary Lou Antonellis. “Joe has a long track record of fighting for working people, and this just proves, once again, how strong his commitment is to that cause. We are honored to represent this staff, who in joining our union, are doing their part to show that we need unions for everyone in this country. Even before this, our members were thrilled to endorse Joe, because they know he believes that unions make our communities and our workplaces better.”
The union contract is one of the most progressive campaign union contracts to date, and includes substantial wage boosts for staff, 100% health care coverage, and significant paid time off. Negotiations took just three business days and were led by a bargaining committee that represented all departments on the campaign –– with diverse representation across gender and demographics. Kennedy has been endorsed by 33 labor unions in the race for U.S. Senate, including: The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Laborers, Laborers Local 609, NAGE, the Machinists Statewide Council, Machinists Local 264, Teamsters Local 25, Sprinkler Fitters 550, Pipefitters Local 537, Plumbers Local 12, IBEW 96, 103, 104, 1505, 223, 455, 326, 2325, 2321, 1499, & 2222, UWA 369, Carmen Union 589, Sheet Metal Workers Local 17, IUOE Local 4, UFCW Local 791, Painters and Allied Trades DC 35, the Boston Musicians Association Local 9-535, Ironworkers Local 7, the Plymouth/Bristol County Regional Labor Council, the Norfolk County Regional Labor Council, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, and Eastern Millwrights Regional Council. IBEW Local 103 represents more than 8,000 active members, plus more than 2,000 retirees across Greater Boston.
About Joe Kennedy: Congressman Joe Kennedy III has dedicated his career to social and economic justice. He is fighting for the basic dignity of every American family and a politics that is inclusive, representative and fair. A former Peace Corps member, legal aid volunteer, and assistant district attorney, Joe has worked tirelessly for the people most at risk, most marginalized, and most in need. He ran for office to tackle the systemic inequities – from health care to housing to climate and education – that have left countless American families locked out and left behind. Visit KennedyForMA.com to learn more.
About IBEW Local 103: IBEW Local 103’s mission is to provide Greater Boston’s developers with the best trained, most efficient, safest electricians and telecommunications specialists while fostering our Union’s values of economic fairness, equal opportunity and charitable giving in the communities where we work, live, and raise our families. Working for better wages, better benefits, and fair working conditions is just one part of our Union’s focus. Local 103 members take pride in giving back our time and expertise to causes and charities serving those less fortunate.
