Title
Honoring the 100th Anniversary of the installation of the Charter of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and recognizing the impact and achievements of the local in the City of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.
Body
WHEREAS, Local 98 has built a democratic local union that allows workers a voice in determining their role at the workplace, in the union and in the community; and
WHEREAS, Local 98's legacy can be seen in the neighborhoods, buildings, commercial and industrial areas, and community centers around us; and
WHEREAS, On January 5, 1900 the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers admitted Local 98 who at the time organized for ten hour work days and $.20 to $.25 an hour; and
WHEREAS, In the 1920's, Local 98 initiated efforts to defeat "open shop" campaigns that threatened the very existence of unions, as well as launched organizing efforts expanding their jurisdiction to Camden, Chester, Norristown and Trenton; and
WHEREAS, In 1924, Local 98 began work on the Sesquicentennial Celebration to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the United States by wiring the Sesquicentennial buildings at Broad and Pattison; and
WHEREAS, During the Great Depression work was so scarce, and Local 98 members so benevolent, that while working on the PSFS building union members rotated work so that it could be shared among the members; and
WHEREAS, In 1930, the union launched a training program for apprentices attended by over three hundred individuals at Simon Gratz High School. The program led later to an agreement with the school district to hold vocational training at Bok Vocational School on Saturdays; and
WHEREAS, The 1940's saw many positive achievements for the Local including work at the Navy Yard building dry docks and Frankford Arsenal in the war effort and establishing a Health and Welfare plan as well as a vacation and unemployment relief program; and
WHEREAS, In the 1950's, Local 98 instituted a d...
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