IBEW L

As Americans we live in a Country where we are guaranteed certain rights, freedoms, and a level of independence that is unknown anywhere else in the world. Untold numbers of Great Americans have fought, and some made the ultimate sacrifice, in defense of these principles we hold so dear. Our pride in these founding principals and our willingness to stand unflinchingly against any foe to defend our rights, and the rights of others, is what makes this the greatest and most powerful Nation in the world.

Unions too, are firmly founded on these same basic human rights. We believe that all working people have certain unalienable rights. Rights to decent pay and benefits, safe working conditions, a reasonable quality of life for us and our families now and in retirement. We believe that these rights are guaranteed us as Americans and, like those who have sacrificed so much to protect them, will stand up in defense of these rights.

Unions, indeed are far more than that. We are much like an extended family. We stand in solidarity to achieve what alone we could not. The American Dream of a decent life for our families and, when the cause arises, to assist a Brother or Sister in their hour of need.

The things that make this such a great Country to live in also make the Union a great organization to belong to. No truer words were ever spoken as when George Pope Morris said "United we stand, divided we fall".

Declaration of the

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Our cause is the cause of human justice, human rights, human security.

We refuse, and will always refuse, to condone or tolerate dictatorship or oppression of any kind.

We will find and expel from our midst any who might attempt to destroy, by subversion, all that we stand for.

This Brotherhood will continue to oppose communism, Nazism, or any other subversive "ism." We will support our God, our Nations, and our Union.

The objects of the

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers are:

	To organize all workers in the entire electrical industry in the United States and Canada, including all those in public utilities and electrical manufacturing, into local unions.
	To promote reasonable methods of work.
	To cultivate feelings of friendship among those of our industry.
	To settle all disputes between employers and employees by arbitration (if possible).
	To assist each other in sickness or distress.
	To secure employment.
	To reduce the hours of daily labor.
	To secure adequate pay for our work.
	To seek a higher and higher standard of living.
	To seek security for the individual.
	And by legal and proper means to elevate the moral, intellectual, and social conditions of our members, their families and dependents, in the interest of a higher standard of citizenship.