IBEW LOCAL 219 HISTORY

            Charter number 219 was originally assigned to Sullivan, Indiana on January 11, 1902, just 11 years after the IBEW was formed.  That Local went out of existence in 1906.    Number 219  was later assigned to Ottawa, Illinois on October 27, 1915 and remained there until September 21, 1934 when the Ottawa Local was merged into Local 321 in LaSalle, Illinois.

            For 14 years from 1934 until 1948, no Local 219 existed within the IBEW. Then on March 1, 1948, thirteen electrical workers chartered Local 219 in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Most of the Local's 13 charter members worked on the construction of the  Veterans Administration Hospital in Iron Mountain, which broke ground on March 14, 1948.  At $6.5 million, it was at the time the largest single building project ever constructed in the Upper Peninsula.

              On October 1, 1988, Local 19 in Houghton, Michigan was merged with Local 219, adding the Michigan counties of Houghton, Baraga, Ontonagon and Keweenaw to the jurisdiction.

            Today, Local 219 has grown from its original 13 charter members to a total membership of approximately 165.  Local 219 covers the trade classifications of Inside Wireman, Utility, Sound and Communications and Supervisory Personnel.