IBEW Local 1547

September 20, 2022 – We connected with Rodney Hesson, assistant business manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1547 (Alaska), Unit 103 (Juneau and Sitka) to talk tourism and trades!

Rodney enjoys engaging with IBEW members from around the country who seek out the union hall when they cruise to Juneau. "We get people coming in from other Locals around the nation and they want to buy logo wear; get stickers to take back home. It's coveted merchandise to get from the Alaska Local."

Juneau tourism definitely contributes to the workload of local electricians. "When businesses reopen in the spring, we get so many calls.”

But service calls are just one part of tourism that IBEW members are involved in. The souvenirs purchased by visitors help fund CBJ capital projects through the local sales tax. And these projects keep Juneau's tradesmen working!

"Like the Seawalk, when the city generates the 1% sales tax that goes toward capital projects, they also incorporate the head tax money into those, as well." Other tourism-related projects include oceanfront development, the Centennial Hall remodel, and cruise dock electrification. Various local industries are actively part of these initiatives, including Rodney and the IBEW. 

This means continued work not only for members of our community, but also the 65 members in construction for Unit 103!