Former International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers National Political Director Brian Baker, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his time with the Union from Business Manager at IBEW Local 129 to the Policy Office at the International Office in Washington D.C.
Baker began followed in the footsteps of his father, who was a member of LIUNA Local 758. But Baker’s father suggested he look elsewhere, as it was slow for the Laborers at that time. Baker joined the IBEW Local 129 —with workers in Lorain, Huron and Erie County in Ohio— apprenticeship program, where he grew and improved after four years as a young union electrician.
When he became an organizer, Baker grew his membership from a little over 100 members to nearly 450 members by the time he became the Business Manager. He spoke with several non-union employers around Lorain County and developed these workers into well-trained and qualified IBEW members. Whether it was educating the workers or providing them with better wages and benefits, Baker found several workers were excited to join the Local. Local 129 is now around 400 members due to a downturn during COVID, but they are beginning to grow for the future jobs coming to Northeast Ohio.
Baker said his work with U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown allowed him to move to the IBEW International Office. The International offered him the newly opened position of Political Director on March 1, 2007, which he accepted and spent the next 15 years in the role. Baker talked about that experience and what it took to do the job successfully and work with politicians to create good national legislation to assist his union Brothers and Sisters.
Learn more about Baker’s time in the IBEW by listening to the show above.