10/03/2026
FROM THE DESK OF PRESIDENT KELLY
A Monthly Message from Tom Kelly, President/Business Manager, IBEW Local 827.
“Communication, accountability, and solidarity are the foundation of a strong Local. Each month I’ll share updates on the work we’re doing, the challenges we’re addressing, and the opportunities ahead.”
Brothers and Sisters,
September was a busy month and as we begin October and the leaves begin to turn your Representatives at Local 827 continue to work hard to make sure you have the best representation in the business.
We held the first statewide virtual Steward meeting to kick off the month. With 120 Stewards logging in, it was definitely a success. It was an opportunity for the Stewards to get information directly from headquarters and put a face to a name for all the Business Agents and Officers. Special thanks to Al Bergman for setting up and running the meeting. It was the first time we had used the equipment at headquarters and Al had to overcome quite a few technical challenges. We will continue to schedule them going forward. We will also host a statewide Virtual Membership Meeting at some point soon look for details in the coming months.
We celebrated Labor Day at the American Labor Museum Botto House parade. One of the Grand Marshals of the parade was Kevin Jarvis our former attorney and current NJ acting Commissioner of Labor. Great job by Business Agent Pat Glover manning the grill and feeding all the participants. It’s always a great day and I’m honored to speak there every year at a location that is truly hallowed Union ground. If you ever have the opportunity definitely visit the museum in Haledon, NJ.
We took time on 9/11 to remember everyone we lost and all the people that continue to suffer and die today from exposure. We kept a special moment for the 21 IBEW Members we lost that day. Thanks to a fund built through IBEW donations, all the children of those IBEW Members we lost that day receive a check every month. It’s our way of NEVER FORGETTING the sacrifice those children were forced to make.
As we’re all aware the cost of medical insurance has skyrocketed over the last few years. It’s affecting our Retirees and the nation as a whole. I met with Congressman Gottenheimer, Congresswoman Pou and NJ AFL CIO Secretary Treasurer Laurel Brennan about the issue and how we our Members, our Retirees and our families can address this. It’s a national issue that will need a national solution. We’ll keep everyone informed on the issue.
We hosted a meeting with some of our newer Members at the American Labor Center at Rutgers. Great job by Business Agents Luke Frank and Tony Isaac setting it up. Great job by VP Joe Lambert, Recording Secretary Rachel Keenan, Business Agents Glenn Yeary and Pat Glover and Chief Stewards Joe Frank, Kenny Nelson and John Mamo for coming out and showing the commitment to our newer Members.
We continue to work to get a successor contract with Mastec and work with the Dept. of Labor to enforce the successor language from our prior CBA covering those Members. We appreciate all the hard work being put in by VP Lambert, Recording Secretary Keenan, Business Agents Bonilla and Curreri and Chief Stewards Rovero, McConnon and Malcolm. This has been difficult with a lot of moving parts and they are leading the nation to get all this done. Great job.
Your Officers and Business Agents were honored to attend the 41st IBEW Convention. It’s a great opportunity to weigh in on our IBEW Constitution and resolutions to change it, elect National Officers and District Officers and learn about the IBEW at a national level. We were recognized with a 2 minute video predominantly about US LOCAL 827 shown on the giant screens in the convention center to the thousands of Delegates assembled representing over 600,000 Active Members!!! I’ve said for years that we are the best in the industry at what we do and it’s great to see the IBEW recognize that too!
Great tribute to former Southern Business Agent Tom Bruno at the Vineland Veteran Home. It’s absolutely amazing how much Tom did for that facility. To see Retirees travel from Florida to attend the event lets you know all you need to know about Tom Bruno and his impact on so many. Thanks to Business Agent Glenn Yeary and Chief Steward Paul Provenzano for helping keep Tom Bruno’s legacy alive.
We will soon initiate a Tom Bruno Community Service Award given to Members who contribute to their communities. Details to follow shortly.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Chief Steward Andy Newman sells Breast Cancer Awareness bracelets for $5 every year in October. The sale of the bracelets has grown to a $32,400 donation to the Susan Komen Foundation in 2025 to support women battling the disease!!!! The fact that $5 bracelets can generate a donation that big is mind boggling. Please contact Andy if you would like to purchase a bracelet at 201 230-2298 and show your support for women battling breast cancer and your commitment to them.
I was honored to be named one of the Irish Echo’s Labor Ambassadors of 2026. Again having the ability to stand on a stage in front of a large national audience and represent Local 827 is always a humbling experience.
We still haven’t heard anything from Verizon about how many Members volunteered for the EISP. The window to volunteer closes October 2 at midnight. Obviously we always advocate for everyone who put in to be accepted and I should know the numbers early next week.
As Chairman of the Scarborough Board of Trustees I encourage everyone whether you are taking the EISP or just started your career to use the benefit of having a free financial advisor and a unique plan designed specifically for us in. Contact John Italiano and Scarborough to start planning for your future.
