June 2025 – Why Juneteenth Matters
Brothers and Sisters,
Every year Americans celebrate our independence on July 4th to mark our freedom from tyranny. On this day in 1776 we adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring that all men are created equal and entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The brave men who founded our nation are indeed deserving of honor.
But we must also recognize that not all Americans were truly free until June 19, 1865 – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued – when the last Confederate state, Texas, finally enforced the Proclamation. This took place months after the Confederate army had surrendered, ending the Civil War.
This day, known as Juneteenth, marked the true end of slavery in the United States and has been celebrated since the late 1800s. In 1980, Texas became the first state to officially recognize it as a holiday. Following last year’s historic contract negotiations, Juneteenth is now recognized as a holiday for the first time in our Local’s history.
Juneteenth is more than a day off. It is a time for reflection and remembrance of the historical struggle for freedom and equality. It reminds us of the continued struggles of marginalized communities, particularly the Black community. For many, this holiday calls on us to reflect on the unfinished work and our roles as citizens. It asks us to stay politically engaged and to exercise our right to vote. We must be aware of what is happening in our communities and stand up for those whose voices are too often not heard.
We must also hold our elected officials accountable. As union members we fight for fairness, dignity, and equality, not just in our contracts but in our workplaces and our communities. A core union value is ensuring all members are protected from persecution, discrimination, and unjust discipline and that they are afforded the right to due process.
Without due process or a grievance procedure, our freedoms and collective bargaining agreements are nothing more than empty words on paper.
We are especially proud to have partnered with our SoCal Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) chapter for the Local 40 annual golf tournament this weekend. EWMC’s mission is to promote equity for minorities and underrepresented workers at all levels of the IBEW. The tournament raised funds to support the SoCal EWMC chapter’s causes, including food drives, VFW hall renovations, and community improvement efforts. This tournament was a huge success with more golfers and sponsors than ever!
In that same spirit, I plan to spend the holiday donating my time to repair light fixtures in a local community space.
So, for those not earning double time this June 19th, I encourage you to consider giving back. Whether through service, learning, or action, make this day count.
In Solidarity,
Stephan Davis
Business Manager
Financial Secretary
