International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 90
North Plains Industrial Road
Wallingford, CT. 06492
203-624-6638

Local 90 was first chartered in January of 1900 to represent electricians in the New Haven area and vicinity. Throughout the first 70 or more years of the twentieth century, its jurisdiction slowly expanded. In the 1930s, it grew to include West Haven, Milford, Derby, Ansonia, Bethany, Hamden, and North Branford to the Old Saybrook line. By 1936, it included the jurisdiction of New London, Connecticut and thus all towns along the shoreline from Groton to West Haven. In 1938, Local 90 merged with Local 642, which covered Wallingford, Cheshire, Meriden and Middletown. (Middletown was later annexed by Hartford’s Local 35.) Finally, in 1977, the Local amalgamated with Local 37, bringing towns such as New Britain, Bristol, Southington, East Berlin, Milldale, Plymouth, Terryville, Newington, and Kensington under its umbrella.

Currently, the Local has 800 members—700 electricians and 100 apprentices. It negotiates contracts with the National Electrical Contractors Association. The Local’s “boom years” occurred from the mid-1960s through the mid 1980s with construction of the Connecticut Yankee and Millstone I, II, and III nuclear power plants, and the Teletrack Facility and Branford Hospice Projects. In the 1990s, employment in the region shrunk and workers often had to travel to other IBEW jurisdictions for work. After “90 years without a strike,” the union held a short strike in 1991 over the issue of replacement workers.

THE LOCAL’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT, says Frank Halloran, its President, is that, in its 100 years of existence, its members have “made a good living and spearheaded the industry in its jurisdiction.”

THE LOCAL’S GREATEST CONCERN is that “the wrong people in office will legislate our rights away” and will vote to export jobs to countries where workers toil under inhumane conditions. Local 90 constantly monitors state and federal legislation as it effects labor, and continues to struggle to promote the industry; to maintain safe and healthy working conditions along with a decent standard of living for its membership; and to ensure that hard won legislation which guarantees the rights of labor is not overturned.

Local 90 had offices in various locations until 1967, when they moved to their the Labor Temple at 45 Water Street. This building is, unfortunately, scheduled for demolition within the next few years. Local 90 moved to its current location in Wallingford in early 2003.

THE RECORDS

With a few exceptions (most notably, framed copies of the original local charter), the records that the Local retains may date back as far as World War II. They are kept in several different locations. Current membership records, mailing lists, and dues records, are kept on computer as well as in hard copy. (The dues system is now automated.) Hard copies of current records—including work referrals going back five or six years—are kept in the office of the President, Frank Halloran. Also kept there is a “contract book “—a three ring binder with copies of contracts going back as far as 1974. In addition, Mr. Halloran keeps copies of the International Constitution and By-Laws in his office. He suggests that retired members may also have possession of older records, such as “tool lists,” and older contracts.

In the hallway, there are five large cabinets which contain various types of records, including old member cards (initiation cards)and dues and fee records dating back to the 1940s, as well as files with information about contractors and current contract reports. In its conference room, the Local keeps several artifacts, including the original charter; pens; letters from Congress people (framed); convention documents; and various photographs. The Local apparently has a good collection of photographs going back as far as the 1970s. Many are, however, neither identified or dated.

A large closet holds 25 or so boxes. They contain “running books” organized by year of Executive Board meeting minutes; and another group of such books for Business Manager and Committee reports delivered at regular membership meetings. Mr. Halloran is unsure exactly how far they go back. The boxes also contain old dues records and “per capita reports” and contractor reports. Several boxes hold files of Project Labor Agreements (going back about ten years). Some of the older PLA’s have been disposed of.

Finally, the apprentice program keeps its own records, in the basement of the building. There are four file cabinets which include alphabetical files of apprentice records going back 30 years. The basement, in addition, contains real estate and bank records pertaining to the Labor Temple itself, of which IBEW Local 90 is a co-owner.

CONTACT

Frank Halloran, President, or Kenneth King, Business Manager,
203-624-663

WEB LINK

www.IBEWLocal90.org