The History of IBEW
The Great Depression
In January 1929 the International Office moved into the IBEW's own building at 1200 - 15th Street, N.W. That year the 20th Convention, held in Miami, Florida, adopted a retirement plan for Brotherhood officers and representatives.
Unbeknown to the delegates in 1929, this would be the last Convention held for 12 years. The Great Depression created serious financial difficulties for the International, and the Conventions scheduled between 1929 and 1941 were postponed by referendum vote.
President Noonan died in December 1929; the International Executive Council (IEC) appointed Vice President H.H. Broach to fill the office.
President Broach presided over our Brotherhood during the Great Depression, which devastated our countries and our union. His tenure was marked chiefly by a series of changes designed to enable our union to meet the challenges of the times. Many felt our Constitution and the local union bylaws needed to be rewritten completely to clarify certain sections and strengthen others by providing proper discipline and orderly conduct of business, and to ensure respect for authority.
At its March 1930 meeting, the IEC approved submitting a proposed amendment to the membership for a referendum vote. The amendment empowered the International President to appoint a special Constitution Committee of 11 members (no two from the same local union) to meet with him and the International Secretary in the International Office "for the purpose of altering, amending or revising the Constitution and the rules therein as may be necessary to conform with the needs of this organization."
This referendum was adopted by a vote of 39,581 to 5,405. As part of this referendum, the membership authorized implementing the Constitution Committee's recommendations immediately upon notification by the International Secretary. Immediately after the referendum vote, the committee was appointed and began deliberations which resulted in an abbreviated and more precise Constitution. Our current Constitution is much the same as it was following the action taken in 1930.
Meanwhile, the United States and Canada suffered through a period of unprecedented economic stress. Wage cuts pyramided upon each other; banks failed; businesses collapsed; unemployment soared. Men and women roamed the streets begging for jobs and, later, for just enough food to stay alive. More than 50 percent of our membership was idle throughout the United States and Canada.
We in the IBEW today are surprised how well our organization survived those dark days. Membership only dropped from 64,000 to 50,000 while other unions were decimated. The International was forced to take stern economic measures: officers' and representatives' salaries were cut 50 percent; some officials were furloughed, with no salary or expenses; some staff members were laid off.