IBEW’s Brian D’Arcy Explains Non-Profit Funding, Suggests City Hall Leaders are Out to Get Him

The second and perhaps most important purpose was to encourage men and women of all ages (over 18) to signthe book, the first step in an ongoing commitment to becoming a part of the UPCT.

The room was full. Testimonial videos were shown and leaders spoke. Prospective applicants sat rapt by what they were hearing, eager to listen and to have questions answered. Some were apprehensive as to whether they could qualify but were repeatedly reassured that they would be assisted in their education along every step of the way.

As I have mentioned in an earlier article, the process is long—often a three-year wait just to receive THE CALL that it is finally the applicants’ time to accept the invitation to be part of the program.

During the two years of training in every facet of electrical work, the apprentices are paid $16 an hour plus benefits. These trainees are given assistance from beginning to end, when they take the Civil Service test to begin their respective career paths.

Initial eligibility for the UPCT is a valid California driver’s license, documented status, and “the ability to breathe.”

Don’t get me wrong, this is a rigorous program with very high standards. Found guilty of an infraction, you’re out (unless there are certain mitigating circumstances). Absences from and/or tardiness to classes or work, good-bye.

There is an interesting exception that I must share with you. The passionate coordinator of this program, Ms. Shawn McCloud, drills the rules into her students—it’s all about self-discipline and abiding by expectations. One rule is no DUI’s—a good one. However, did you know you that riding your bicycle while inebriated can earn you a ticket?!

Ms. McCloud impresses upon her trainees the necessity to have a designated driver after partying (she says, rest and relaxation are a vital part of anyone’s life—necessary for balance, for both mental and physical well-being). Consequently, she has taught her pupils that if there is no one to take you home, get into your car in the back seat and sleep it off.

Well, one young man (both of whose siblings are also in the program) followed her directives explicitly. He got into his car on a cold night, turned on the heat, climbed into the back, and went to sleep.

Low-and-behold, a police officer stopped by, knocked on his window until he woke up, and ticketed him for a DUI anyway because the engine was on! A great example of why following rules and regulations to the T is so important (and ignorance of the law is no excuse).

Normally a DUI would have an apprentice automatically dropped from the program; however, every effort is being made in this case to allow an exception due to the extenuating circumstances. I hate to think that this young man’s future could be irreparably altered because of an inadvertent error that he made while trying to do the right thing.

Finally, we all had the opportunity to hear from Brian D’Arcy, the Business Manager of IBEW 18 (too often continuously and unjustly maligned by some columnists and a few electeds). I am glad that I also had another chance to speak with him, one-on-one.

Personally, I see him as a committed, impassioned union leader, beloved by his union members and lauded by numerous socio-economic, and environmental justice groups—and a genuine teddy bear with a heart of gold and a great sense of humor.

I learned something new that morning. Needless to say, D’Arcy addressed, among other subjects, the media and political barrage aimed at him. He asserted that every receipt, every record that was legally requested of him was provided.

He also suggested (and I have every reason to believe in the veracity and accuracy of his statements) that three of our top political City leaders are after him, partially in retribution for IBEW’s unwillingness to endorse the three during their races for office. We all know the “outrage” and suspicions expressed when Wendy Greuel’s race for mayor against Eric Garcetti (the eventual winner) was generously funded in part by IBEW donations.

What I didn’t know before, however, is how the 9000 Union members some 10 years ago agreed to forego 10 cents an hour in salary in order to help fund the Safety Institute and later another 15 cents an hour to facilitate funding for the UPCT (both programs under a combined Trust with the City, DWP, and the Union). Keep in mind, the mutually-agreed upon Trust was put together a decade ago to resolve obstacles to contract negotiations at that time.

According to my calculations, those voluntary cuts to personal salaries add up to close to $40,000,000—the very amount that is being questioned as to how the monies were spent.

I ask that we all wait for resolution to this nagging issue. Court hearings are coming up. I sincerely believe that Mr. D’Arcy and his members will be vindicated and when that happens, we can all move on to the next challenging nightmare.

Just sayin’.

For further information, please contact the following:

Shawn McCloud: [email protected]

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi: [email protected]

Jessica Goodheart: [email protected]

(Rosemary Jenkins is a Democratic activist and chair of the Northeast Valley Green Alliance. She is also a representative of The Repower LA Coalition. IBEW … the subject of this column … is a partner of The Repower LA Coalition. Jenkins has written Leticia in Her Wedding Dress and Other Poems, A Quick-and-Easy Reference to Correct Grammar and Composition and Vignettes for Understanding Literary and Related Concepts. She also writes for CityWatch.)

-cw