News
2026 Founding Fathers Golf Tournament Brings Out the Fun
Under a clear blue sky, over 100 IBEW 40 and SoCal EWMC members came together on June 19 for a day of networking, fun and friendly competition at the union’s annual Founding Father’s Golf Tournament at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena. Union spirit and giving back to the community were on full display at the event….
The Magic Keeps Rolling at Disney Studios
While Southern California’s entertainment community continues to adjust to the latest shifts in the always-evolving production landscape, one constant bedrock has been Disney Studiosin Burbank. There, Local 40 crews are at full capacity managing a slate of planned and in-progress projects ahead. “We just finished Team Disney. We had a full street shut down on…
James Minasian Named IBEW Apprentice of the Year
Local 40’s James Minasian always seems in constant motion, so when the moment hit that stopped him in his tracks, he wasn’t quite sure how to respond. That moment came when Local 40 Business Manager Stephan Davis called to tell Manasian, a fourth-year apprentice and Local 40’s Reach out and Engage Next-gen Electrical Workers (RENEW) committee…
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…
Open House Draws Enthusiastic Crowd, Record Number of Apprenticeship Applicants
IBEW 40’s recent Open House was packed with future Brothers and Sisters seeking to start their union journey and get a firsthand opportunity to learn more about the Local 40/NECA Inside Wireman Apprenticeship. The results were overwhelming. In less than six hours we hit our limit of 600 Apprenticeship applications. Local 40’s Cynthia Carizal, a…
Working Overtime to Ensure Our Next Governor is a Partner
The next gubernatorial election may be one of the most pivotal in our industry’s history. California’s entertainment industry sits at an unprecedented crossroads, and we need a governor who will proactively fight to protect and expand jobs across California. Our partners at the Entertainment Union Coalition (EUC) have just interviewed the top gubernatorial candidates to…
Juan Rodriguez’s Union Journey About Giving Back and Paying it Forward
Juan Rodriguez’s path into union brotherhood and sisterhood easily could have been a straight line. But like most memorable journeys, Rodriguez’s road was a winding one. When his father-in-law, Lane L. Stewart, a 47-year Local 40 member, advised a young Rodriguez to join the Local, Rodriguez initially hesitated. “I was young; I didn’t listen,” Rodriguez…
IBEW Founders’ College Scholarship
This scholarship is made available to all IBEW members who are interested in going to college. As long as you have been in continuous good standing for four years preceding May 1 of the scholarship year in which you plan to apply, you are eligible for the IBEW Founders’ Scholarship. More information on the Founders…
Local 40 Celebrates 2025 In Style
Over 100 Local 40 members and their guests came together at the annual “That’s a Wrap Celebration” atop the Universal Sheraton to commemorate a year of achievements and to honor their own. Among the 2025 highlights Local 40 Business Manager Stephan Davis hailed were passage of a tax credit for film production work as well…
What Paramount’s new ownership means for Local 40 members
By OREN PELEG In August, Skydance Media closed its acquisition of Paramount Global. For most people, the only noticeable change will be the addition of the Skydance logo to the famed water tower on the Paramount Studios lot. But for members of IBEW Local 40, the merger and new ownership mean an immediate reinvigoration of…
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…
40 Members Get Wired Into the Fiber Optic Future
By Oren Peleg On a recent weekday evening at the Local 40 training center, Jeremy Bayer is busy pulling equipment: a server tray, a spool of fiber cable. At 4 pm he opens the doors to a group of Local 40 members. Class is now in session. “So, this is the cleaver,” Bayer begins, showing…
Local 40’s Starbird Steps Up as Shop Steward at Fox Studios
New IBEW 40 Fox Studios Shop Steward Brad Starbird is not one to become starstruck. His work as steward and production electric worker at Fox may place him squarely in the entertainment spotlight, but he finds the job fulfilling for reasons entirely unrelated to the glamor of Tinseltown. “It’s very fast-paced with how things can…
IBEW Local 40’s Graduating Apprentices See a Whole New Journey Ahead
By Oren Peleg The Sheraton Universal’s Starview ballroom high above the San Fernando Valley was buzzing with pride this month as 20 members of IBEW Local 40 celebrated their graduation from apprenticeship into full-fledged Journeymen. “This is a big deal. I can’t understate this,” Local 40 Business Manager Stephan Davis told the graduating class and…
Join Local 40 for Union Night with the Dodgers!
Join Local 40 for Union Night with the Dodgers!We’re proud to stand in solidarity with thousands of Union members from across the region as we take over Dodger Stadium for a special night of unity and baseball. Bring your family, friends, and Union Brothers and Sisters for an unforgettable evening as the Los Angeles Dodgers…
LA Union Members Celebrate May Day
Local 40 President Juan Rodriguez and Business Manager Stephan Davis joined 4,000 union members and immigrant rights groups at a May Day rally in Downtown L.A., flooding the streets on May 1 to commemorate International Workers’ Day, better known as May Day. The march began at 9 am at LA Live, near Crypto Arena, then…
Training Center Open House
The IBEW Local 40 Training held an open house in April in recognition of National Apprenticeship Day. More than 40 prospective electrical apprentices came out to learn more about Local 40 and the union advantage. “It’s getting more people to know about who Local 40 is and the opportunity that Local 40 offers,” said Jesse…
Q&A with Apprenticeship Coordinator Jesse Barron
In honor of National Apprenticeship Day, IBEW Local 40 is hosting an open house on April 30 from 4 to 7 p.m., inviting students and career changers to learn about union electrical work. Jesse Baron, IBEW Local 40 Training Director and Apprenticeship Coordinator, shared his thoughts on what sets Local 40 apart, from working on…
On the Jobsite: Warner Bros. Ranch Redevelopment Brings New Soundstages, Offices & Jobs
By Robert Fulton The old Warner Bros. Ranch – once known as the Columbia Ranch – located in Burbank behind a shopping center at Hollywood Way and Verdugo Avenue is getting quite the makeover. Gone are the old house facades, including those featured in the Dennis the Menace television program and the holiday classic “Christmas…
When the Power Went Out, This Local 40 Member Stepped Up
Matt Gruber helped restore power to two Palisades fire stations in the thick of disaster Two days after the Los Angeles area erupted in flames and fires still raged across the region, including the Pacific Palisades, IBEW Local 40 member Matt Gruber got a call. It was from his friend and colleague James Adcock, who…
L.A. Wildfire Relief Roundup
After the devastating wildfires hit L.A., Local 40 collaborated with IATSE Local 80 and the Basic Crafts to collect and ensure donations reached our union brothers and sisters with young children who needed them most. Thank you again to all the members who generously donated several boxes of diapers, strollers, and other baby essentials as…
Save the Date: Golf Tournament
Local 40’s annual Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 14 at Brookside Golf Course! This year, we’re thrilled to partner with our So Cal EWMC Chapter in hosting the tournament, and we can’t wait to see you out there for a great day of golf, camaraderie, and friendly competition. The price per player…
Show Steward Spotlight: Dwayne Cook
Local 40 member Dwayne Cook joined the redevelopment of the Warner Ranch property in Burbank in May of 2024 and, by September, he was operating as the worksite’s shop steward. “You’re eyes and ears and a voice to a certain extent for the hall and the guys,” said Cook. “When someone’s frustrated about a circumstance…
Discover Your Future at the IBEW Local 40 Apprenticeship Open House!
Are you ready to build a rewarding career in the electrical industry? Join us at the IBEW Local 40 Apprenticeship Open House, where you’ll learn how to take the first step toward becoming a skilled electrician and a proud member of our union. What to Expect: Who Should Attend: Event Details: Don’t miss this chance…
Contract Spotlight: Historic Agreements
Brothers & Sisters, Congratulations to our members working under our Motion Picture Basic Agreement and our Universal Studios Supplemental Agreements. These two agreements were overwhelmingly ratified and members have the largest wage increases these agreements have had in four decades. Over 97% of our membership has not seen a wage increase of this scale since…
On the Job at Fox Studios Lot
By Robert Fulton The Fox Studio Lot in Century City is one of the smaller worksites in the IBEW Local 40 studio portfolio. That said, the workers at Fox have an outsize reputation for their longevity and dedication to the electrical work that keeps the studio running. Local 40 Business Manager Stephan Davis said that…
IBEW Local 40 Graduation: A Milestone for Skilled Trades Careers
By Robert Fulton IBEW Local 40 celebrated its newest cohort of apprenticeship graduates with a luncheon at the Sheraton Universal on August 17. The 25 members of the class of 2024 were presented with their apprenticeship certificates by Busienss Manager Stephan Davis and Training Director/Apprenticeship Coordinator Jesse Baron. Davis highlighted that this year’s graduating class…
Honoring History, Lighting the Future: IBEW Local 40 Marks Milestone
By Robert Fulton Members of IBEW Local 40 and their guests celebrated the union’s centennial with a made-for-Hollywood party on May 4. The event actually celebrated the Local’s 101st anniversary — more on that later — and took place on the Midwest Street backlot at Warner Bros. Studios. The party featured plenty of food and…
Q&A With Member Lane Stewart
Q: Can you start by telling us about your background and history with the union? A: I’m a second-generation IBEW member. My father, Lane R. Stewart, was also a member and he’s retired now. He worked his whole career at what was once MGM, now Sony Studios. Growing up, my exposure was all about union…
Massive UNITY Rally Kicks Off Bargaining
With contract negotiations front and center, Local 40 makes sure the studios feel the heat By Robert Fulton It’s always good to have a few friends (or a few thousand of them) in your corner. On Sunday, March 3, IBEW Local 40 and our allies in the trades kicked off a historic season of contract…
Making Movie Magic at Universal Studios’ Lower Lot
What’s commonly referred to as the Lower Lot at Universal Studios is where the magic happens. The Upper Lot has fun rides and thrilling shows, a glitzy attraction for tourists and locals alike, but it’s the production work on the Lower Lot where programming is created to fill screens, big and small. The Universal campus…
Magic Castle Stage Hands Join Local 40
By Robert Fulton It’s not an illusion. Stage managers working at the Magic Castle have organized to join IBEW Local 40. This is the first new shop organized by Local 40 in recent memory. The Magic Castle stage managers do a little of everything in running the venue’s two stages, from lighting and sound to…
IBEW 40 HVAC Apprenticeship
Motion Picture Studios Electrician and HVAC Mechanic Joint Apprenticeship Committee Notice of Apprenticeship Opportunity for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Mechanic Notice of Apprenticeship Opportunity for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Mechanic No prior experience is required. This is a fully paid apprenticeship program, with all schooling included free of charge to the apprentice if selected. Upon…
A Q&A with Jesse Baron, IBEW 40’s New Training Director
This month, we welcome current Local President and long-time instructor Jesus “Jesse” Barron in his new role as Training Director. This new role reflects his commitment to both the Local and the Training Program over the years. Jesse takes over for Louie Meza, who has done a fantastic job in his tenure as Training Director, streamlining…
IBEW gets ready for its clean, green future
New technologies allow productions to ditch diesel and move to battery power By Grant Slater The future of the film industry is electric. Just like the Teslas that increasingly crowd California’s highways, studios and production houses are transitioning away from gas power and toward cleaner battery-powered options. Earlier this fall, dozens of vendors packed on…
Local 40 Gets Sunset Glenoaks Studios Camera Ready
By Oren Peleg On the site of an old gravel pit in the northern reaches of the San Fernando Valley, Local 40 members are wiring up a state-of-the-art soundstage facility to meet increasing demand for next generation production techniques. Though the project was first approved in 2015, shovels only hit the dirt in 2020 after…
Inside Construction Agreement Apprenticeship
No longer accepting applications as of Dec. 8, 2023. NOTE: Before applying you will need to create an account profile. It is highly recommended to create an account before the application period to avoid any issues with your account profile during applications. Click here to create your account: https://secure2.tradeschoolinc.com/v5/ibew40-org/login/index.php Should you have questions call our…
At Universal Studios, The Work Is Building A Better Life For Local 40 Members
IBEW 40 members are transforming a dirt patch on a hillside along the road up to the Universal Studios parking structures into a gleaming new office building – 11 stories of glass, steel, and concrete set to open by mid 2024 that will house executive suites for the studio heads. Just behind it sits a…
Protect Your Jobs! Turn Out to Support TV City!
Calling all members! We need you to turn out in support of Television City’s expansion in the face of NIMBY opposition. Two dates are available to show up: Oct 18 from 5-8 pm or Oct 22 from 1-4 pm. Click on link below for more details.
WGA on STRIKE – HOW ARE IBEW 40 MEMBERS AFFECTED?
Brothers & Sisters, After six weeks of negotiations, the Writer’s Guild was unable to reach an agreement. As of 12:01 am PST Tuesday May 2, the WGA will be on strike. Below are some FAQ’s regarding the strike. Some media outlets are indicating that pickets will not start until the afternoon on Tuesday, May…
IBEW 40 Member Phillip Otto: Union Life is Giving Him the Ride of His Life
Phillip Otto has been an IBEW Local 40 member for just over three years. He became an electrician and joined Local 40 to better provide for his wife and three daughters. Otto recently completed a job as a foreman for Morrow-Meadows on the new Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. He took some time…
Get Ready to Walk the Red Carpet
IBEW 40 is ringing in its 100th Anniversary in style with a gala celebration at the Warner Bros. Studio back lot, the site of some of the most iconic films ever made – which were made possible by Local 40 members. Let’s gather together for a night of fun as we celebrate every Local 40…
Local 40’s Edgar Figueroa Named 2023 Journeyman Mentor of the Year
Every weekday IBEW 40 Journeyman Electrician Edgar Figueroa drives more than 260 miles to work as a wireman, shop steward and mentor. The commute, which can creep close to three hours on the way home, doesn’t faze him. It would take a lot more to deter Figueroa from a mission that has defined his union…
IBEW 40 Breathing New Life Into Historic Radford Studio
Radford Studio Center in Studio City is an unassuming location, tucked away on Ventura Boulevard surrounded by a few small motels and strip malls on one side and a quiet residential neighborhood on the other. Yet for nearly 100 years this 55-acre backlot (which gave Studio City its name), has housed some of the most…
Burbank Vice Mayor Nick Schultz Takes His Case to IBEW Local 40 Members
Assembly District Hopeful Stressed Jobs, Affordability and Smart Growth By Beige Luciano-Adams Just days before announcing his candidacy for California’s 44th Assembly District, Burbank Vice Mayor Nick Schultz took his case to IBEW Local 40 members at its General Membership meeting last month to garner support, promote his economic vision, and showcase his union bona fides….
Audio Mixers are in the Mix at Universal
Larry McCall is not just a senior member of IBEW Local 40’s unit of audio mixers at Universal studios. He is the senior member, with 27 years on the job. A full-time employee, McCall is at the top of the roster and is also one of four stewards for the union, which is under the same contract…
Yes, IBEW 40 Represents Stage Managers
Erica Christensen has been a member of IBEW 40 for the past 19 years, yet she’s not an electrician. It’s funny, she noted, that while she’s in an electrical union she’s “not even allowed to turn on the lights.” That’s because she’s a Stage Manager at Universal Studio Hollywood’s theme park. Instead of actually working with…



























































