Articles by Josh Lange

Published August 26, 2024

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is the largest electrician trade union in the United States. The IBEW was founded officially in 1891 by its first president, Henry Miller, and other charter members in St. Louis, Missouri as the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (NBEW) before it expanded into other countries. Henry Miller prematurely passed away in 1896 due to a workplace injury, something that was all too common in the United States before workplace and labor reform laws. In the early years of the IBEW from the 1890s through 1900, there were few members due to laws opposing trade unions. Unions across the country started gaining a voice by 1901 because of labor reforms and protections by US President Teddy Roosevelt.

The IBEW is split into districts, with Indiana being a part of District 6. District 6 encompasses 5 states and has over 113,000 members. Every district contains dozens of locals. South Bend’s is known as Local 153, which was issued a charter 110 years ago in April of 1914. Local 153 spans St. Joseph County, Elkhart County, Kosciusko County, and Marshall County in Indiana, as well as Berrien County, and Cass County in Michigan.

However, the story of Local 153 did not start in 1914. Originally, it started off on May 25, 1901, in the South Bend area as Local 132 with its first president being J.E. Perry. The reason for the eventual re-issue of a charter and a local number change in 1914, is due to disagreements in the International from 1908 to 1913. These disagreements saw two major factions split the IBEW. Eventually, the IBEW reconsolidated, with dozens of locals having to be re-chartered causing their number to be 153.

The IBEW has prided itself on its cooperation with companies, working in conjunction with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) for over a century. In 1923, Local 153 had only 38 registered members but has exponentially grown, now bolstering over 1,100 members.

Local 153 has been proactive in serving Michiana since its inception. The current Business Agent (BA) Michael Leda is committed to lending a helping hand to community service projects, being a lifelong resident of St. Joseph County. The local and its members have been active in volunteering throughout the area in community projects such as; Rebuilding Together, Stuff-a-bus, Krasl Art Fair, Niles Apple Fest, Unity Gardens, the St. Joseph County Fairs, and the Elkhart County Fairs. Notable members of Local 153 who have done remarkable things outside of the local as public servants are Troy Warner (South Bend City Councilman), Michael Compton (Former Mishawaka City Councilman), and Corey Noland (Former St. Joseph County Councilman). Many of the members in the local have served the country in other ways, with numerous veterans such as current Assistant BA’s Jason Piontek, and Bob Banaszak.

Labor Day is celebrated to honor America’s workers who keep everything running. IBEW Local 153 has been a part of Michiana’s history for well over one hundred years.

IBEW 153 electricians after completing a substation (Prior to 1950)