Learn about the history and mission of Local 18007
Realizing that under the ever changing industrial conditions and the large scale growth of corporations, there is an ever growing separation of class and aggregations of capital. It is impossible for us to obtain the full reward of our labor other than through united collective bargaining and the right to effectively organize. We believe that labor acting along economic, political, and moral actions can help secure a more equitable distribution of the nation’s wealth and benefits for all those performing useful service to our society.
Therefore, we pledge ourselves to the labor movement and on behalf of the principles set forth by our organization. We will continue our fight for justice and those principles that govern labor.
In 1928, long before the Great Depression struck the nation, workers in Chicago could already feel the ground shifting beneath them. Unemployment was rising, economic pressure was tightening, and corporations held overwhelming control over the fate of working families. It was in this climate—one of uncertainty, grit, and determination—that a group of proud utility workers came together to form what would become UWUA Local 18007.
They organized because they needed stability, fairness, and dignity in their workplaces. Even in its earliest days, Local 18007 became a shield; protecting wages, establishing work rules, and ensuring that skilled utility workers could support their families during the hardest economic era in modern history. From the beginning, Local 18007 stood for a simple but powerful truth:
When workers stand together, they give themselves a future.
Over the decades, Local 18007 has continually adapted to meet the demands of changing infrastructure and technology. Members have worked through major transitions – from wooden mains, to cast iron, to today’s modern plastic utility systems.
Each era required new skills, tools, and expertise. And in every era, Local 18007 members rose to the challenge, proving themselves as essential workers who keep Chicago running safely and reliably.
Nearly a century after its founding, Local 18007 stands as a testament to what solidarity, skill, and perseverance can build. The challenges of 1928 may look different from the challenges of today, but the spirit that formed this Local still guides it – workers standing together to create stability, demand fairness, and protect one another in an ever-changing industry. The generations who came before laid a foundation of strength, and today’s members continue to build on it with the same grit and determination.
Local 18007 has grown into a modern, diverse, and highly trained workforce rooted deeply in the communities it serves. Our members deliver essential services with professionalism and pride, carrying out work that is complex, technical, and critical to public safety. Through strong political engagement, active committees, and an unwavering commitment to developing the next generation of utility professionals—including a nationally recognized veteran pipeline—Local 18007 expands its influence and ensures that workers have a voice in every decision that shapes their future.
As we approach our 100-year anniversary, Local 18007 remains focused on strengthening protections, securing fair wages and benefits, and preserving the dignity of the trade for current and future members. Our past shapes us, our present defines us, and our future grows every day through the work of the hardworking men and women who stand united under the banner of Local 18007.
Local 18007 was built on solidarity. It grew through resilience. And it continues, stronger than ever, with a purpose that has never wavered.