Mike Raikens, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 197 Business Manager, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about a proposed amendment to the Illinois constitution and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program.
IBEW Local 197 represents about 360 members in Illinois.
Workers Right Amendment 1 will be on the ballot for the November General Election. If passed, it will amend the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution to give employees the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work. It also guarantees that no law shall be passed that interferes with, negates or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment and workplace safety.
Raikens said this is not a union or non-union issue, but a workers rights issue. For the amendment to pass, 60 percent of the voters must vote for Amendment 1. Union members will soon begin to knock on doors and explain the bill to registered voters, he added.
Discussion also turned to a new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVIPT), which will train Local 197 members on solar work and charging stations. Rainkens noted that 10 of his members are currently certified through EVIPT.
Listen to the interview to learn more about these topics.