Minasian Ignites Renewed Energy to Spark IBEW 40’s Next Generation
By JEREMY KEHOE
IBEW 40’s James Minasian exudes a palpable energy that’s contagious. It’s a vim and vigor that’s part natural byproduct of youthful idealism, but it’s also fueled by an unflappable conviction in the power of union brotherhood and sisterhood to change lives.
Since recently stepping up to take on the role as President of Local 40’s Reach out and Engage Next-gen Electrical Workers (RENEW) group, Minasian has impressed his fellow brothers and sisters with his focus and dedication as well as his short and long-term vision for the essential role the Local’s younger generation can play in shaping its future.
We caught up with the seemingly indefatigable 4th-year apprentice in the middle of packing up for a move to discuss his personal union journey, the imperative of active membership, his belief in this generation’s ability to shape a more dynamic and proactive union for all, and his plan to translate his ambitious aspiration into action.
Q: How did your union journey begin?
JM: In high school and in my early 20s, I really didn’t know much about how to get started. All my family members were in the trades, so when I had the opportunity to apply and I got called, I took the jump because I knew that I’m going to have a stable income, I’m going to have the benefits of health insurance and a pension later on, and that I would be taken care of as well as my family. After getting into it, I’d say the same thing that almost every journeyman has told me, “I wish I’d gotten in sooner.”
Q: How did you get involved with RENEW?
JM: I didn’t really know much about RENEW, so I decided to start going to the meetings. I saw that they were trying to engage in ideas together, and I wanted to be more involved. So, when they said, “Hey, we want to pass the torch. Does anyone want these positions right away?” I said, “I want to go for position of president, and in February of this year I got elected.” So, I’m in the process of trying to restructure as much as possible right now.
Q: What does that restructuring process look like?
JM: RENEW is something I believe all apprentices should be a part of because it’s an incredible resource and helps establish camaraderie. Being an apprentice is exciting, but at the same time it can be overwhelming. You always have questions, especially on your first day, week, month, like, “What do I do? What’s expected of me? How can I prepare?” One of my goals is to help guide the first-year apprentices and help them resolve any issues or concerns. I’ve thrown a couple barbecues to gather all of us together to share a meal and some stories, and I try to volunteer my time to tutor. I’m hoping it gets contagious and more and more people start contributing and carrying on this tradition. I’ll take on as much responsibility as possible, because it’s the least I can for the amount of benefits that I’m getting, the education I’m receiving, and the experience I’m getting.
Q: That sounds like a full agenda. What’s the top priority?
JM: The top priority is to engage as many people as we can because RENEW shares the same interest as the IBEW: we’re trying to organize every electrical worker. With RENEW we try to do it at a younger age, because a lot of kids don’t know about IBEW. We set up booths at high school career days and talk to seniors. It’s good to connect with them at a young age, because it’s really hard out there, especially right now, when you go to school four years, you get a degree, and the job market is really cutthroat. I also want to provide a way for apprentices to share stories of how they got here, what they did before, and how they feel about the Local, depending on what year they are. I want RENEW to help engage as many people as we can.
Q: What’s your pitch to someone who may be wondering whether they should get involved with RENEW?
JM: I always tell apprentices to broaden their horizons and always try to learn and enhance other skills. You have this apprenticeship, which is an amazing opportunity, but don’t just focus on one thing or one skill. With RENEW we hold tutoring classes to help apprentices learn new skills. RENEW is about helping apprentices become the best electrician possible and at the same time helping them enhance their abilities because it’s good to know a skill where someone else may be lacking. Local 40 has been a blessing for me, and I’m thankful everyday I get to go to work and do something that I love to do. I’ll do whatever it takes to encourage others as well because this is such an amazing opportunity.
