IBEW Local 300 Joins Socially Responsible Biz Group

IBEW LOCAL 300 JOINS SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE TRADE GROUP
South Burlington, Vt. -- (March 6, 2008) -- The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 recently joined Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR).
Chartered in 1939, IBEW Local 300 represents 1,200 working Vermonters. Local 300 employers -- including Ben and Jerry's, Brown Electric, Burlington Electric Department, Central Vermont Public Service, Entergy-Vermont Yankee, E.S Boulos, Green Mountain Power, Peck Electric, Sherwin Electric, Vermont Gas and Washington Electric Cooperative -- are among the most successful enterprises in the state. They all pay a living wage and offer solid healthcare and retirement packages to union employees.
"The labor movement's objectives are not that different than those of socially responsible businesses, as we all have an unwavering commitment to the common good," said Local 300 Business Manager George Clain. "Like VBSR, the IBEW wholeheartedly believes that fair stewardship of workers, communities and the environment is just as important as financial success."
The oldest and largest values-led trade association in the country, VBSR promotes a socially conscious business ethic that encourages protecting the natural, human and economic surroundings of citizens. In addition to providing extensive educational and networking opportunities to its 650 members, VBSR is very active in influencing Vermont public policy. The organization is stationed in downtown Burlington.
"We are pleased to have our first labor organization as a member," said VBSR Executive Director Will Patten. "This membership represents the notion that the goals of labor and the goals of business do not have to run contrary to one another. In fact, we can craft a shared vision for the state and our economic development together."
ABOUT THE IBEW LOCAL 300
Based in South Burlington, the IBEW Local 300 serves 1,200-plus laborers throughout Vermont. The organization is part of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and represents approximately 750,000 members who work in a wide variety of fields, including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. The IBEW has members in both the United States and Canada and stands out among the American unions in the AFL-CIO because of its size and highly skilled constituency.
For more information, contact Marketing and Business Development Director Matt Lash at (802) 864-5864, [email protected] or www.ibewlocal300.org.