IBEW Comic Book Recounts Labor’s Story to New Members June 12, 2013 In a genre best known for caped crusaders and mutants saving the universe, one IBEW local is using comic books to tell the story of another kind of hero: the union men and women who made the American middle class.

Earlier this year Vacaville, Calif., Local 1245 published “First Day,” a 20-page comic book detailing the history of Local 1245 and the labor movement, which is distributed to all new members. And so far, it is a big hit. “It is the first thing people turn to when they get their orientation packets,” says Eric Wolfe, communications director at Local 1245. Wolfe worked with artist Tom Christopher to put the comic book together, based on a history Wolfe did of the local. “First Day” tells the story of a new employee at California utility PG&E. The worker tells his son about the IBEW and all the good benefits that being a member bring his family, while recounting the struggles that helped create the labor movement and Local 1245. It was a big project, says Wolfe, but rewarding for all involved. “It was a rich experience trying to take labor history and turn it into engaging dialogue and drama without distorting the facts,” he says. One of the main motivations for doing the comic was the desire to find new ways to reach younger members, says Business Manager Tom Dalzell. Dalzell knew that Christopher – a veteran of the comic book industry – was pro-union, so he asked him about helping to make one for the IBEW. The utility industry is undergoing a major generational shift, as the baby boomers exit the work force with increasing speed. PG&E has recently undergone a hiring boom, posing a challenge to Local 1245 on how to best reach out to these younger members – many with little to no experience with unions. “It is important to find new ways to communicate an old message: there is strength in unity and unions are the best way to gain some power over your work life,” says Dalzell. Wolfe says that he hopes to use to comic book format in other local literature, including training material for shop stewards. “A lot of the old guard is headed out the door,” Wolfe says. “If we don’t make a concerted effort to inform and engage this generation of employees, we will lose out the ability to represent them effectively.”