Josh Geller Brings Insider’s Focus to Local 40s Executive Board

Like many of his fellow IBEW Local 40 Brothers and Sisters, Executive Board member Josh Geller’s union journey began with an application and an aspiration.

“I was going through a career transition, and I wasn’t really even sure what the IBEW was,” Geller said. “Once I learned what the union was about and the kinds of job paths they offered and the pay scale and the benefits package they provided, I realized: This is a career. IBEW is a place where you can work for 30 years and retire and live a good life. Once I realized that, I knew the IBEW is where I wanted to be.”

Twelve years later Geller today serves on Local 40’s Executive Board, where he dedicates himself to affecting positive change at the macro and micro levels to support his fellow Local Brothers and Sisters.

We connected with Geller at his current job site in Reno, Nevada—a data center for switch industries—to capture his thoughts on California’s increasingly competitive entertainment market; discuss how Local 40 leadership are working to protect and expand film and television jobs locally; and identify the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Q: What drew you to the idea of becoming a member of Local 40’s executive membership team and taking on that extra role and responsibility?

JG: It started while I was an apprentice. I really started getting into how the union functioned and realizing that it’s a community of members who build the union. I realized this is something I wanted to do—to make positive change. The best way to do that is to be in a position where you can actually change things, and the Executive Committee is one of those positions. We become a better union when more members get involved. There are a lot of members out there, I’m sure, with great ideas on how to improve things that we haven’t thought of, and we need those contributions to make our union stronger and work better for every member.

Q: As an Executive Committee member, what are you and your fellow Committee members’ top priorities?

JG: The NECA contract is up for negotiations this summer, so right now the board is heavily focused on that. For example, we’re working to make sure we secure improved working conditions and better wages for our members and maintain their medical benefits.

Q: You’re one of only two Local Executive Committee members working under the Inside Wireman’s Agreement. How does that perspective shape the ideas and issues you want to prioritize?

JG: The majority of our Local work under the Motion Picture Agreement. Right now, about 200 Local 40 members work under the Inside Wireman’s Agreement. Members who work under the Inside Wireman’s Agreement have different issues like transportation and portability than members who work under the Motion Picture Agreement, but we all have one goal, which is to make the Local as strong as it possibly can be.

Q: Last month Local 40 recently opened its application window for its Inside Wireman Apprenticeship program and hit its limit of 600 applicants in just six hours. What does that tell you about the future of the trades overall and Local 40 in particular?

JG: I’ve never heard of us getting that many applications in that short amount of time. I think people are realizing—especially with the growth of AI—that these are high-paying, high-value jobs that people are going to need in the future. People, number one, realize that you’re going to need electricians and HVAC technicians because these jobs can’t be automated. And, number two, when these jobs are union jobs that offer good wages and benefits and a path to retirement, I’m extremely optimistic about the future of the trades. I think these union jobs are going to be the most secure jobs over the next 20 to 30 years.

Q: What advice would give to someone undecided about pursuing a union career in the trades?

JG: I’d tell them that if going home feeling accomplished every day is something that’s important to you, then you should 100 percent look into a career in the trades.