---

IBEW Local # 1 Union Electricians and Electrical Contractors Donating $125,000 in Materials and Services to Safely Wire Homes

ST. LOUIS — This year, the largest free electrical installation of its kind is unfolding as The Electrical Connection works to break its own record by wiring 25 homes for Habitat for Humanity St. Louis. The union labor-management group is donating roughly $125,000 in materials and services to help Habitat for Humanity complete its house building blitz for the disadvantaged. In all, nearly 20 miles of wiring will be installed. The homes are emerging in the Mark Twain Neighborhood of North St. Louis.

“This is the fifth consecutive year we’ve partnered with Habitat for Humanity St. Louis,” said Steve Schoemehl, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local #1, which along with the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) forms the Electrical Connection. “Habitat’s commitment to using skilled union electrical contractors to ensure the homes are wired safely is most gratifying.” According to the U.S. Fire Administration, faulty electrical wiring causes 33 percent of all residential electrical fires in urban areas.

“We bring a culture of safety to every job we perform,” said Douglas R. Martin, executive vice president of the St. Louis Chapter, NECA. “It’s a commitment reflected in our goal to have every union electrician OSHA 30-hour certified by the end of next year.”

The Electrical Connection began wiring the homes in March. They are located on several streets in the Mark Twain Neighborhood, an area bordered by Kingshighway and West Florissant. Three of the homes were dedicated in June; all 25 homes will be completed by fall.

Participating union electrical contractors include: American Electric & Data, Branson Electric Co., Dickherber Electric, Inc., Grasser Electric, J. Bathe Electric, Lindsey Electric Inc., M.R. Bathe Electric, Northwest Electric Co., Premier Electric, Schaeffer Electric Co. and Wentzel Electric.

The Electrical Connection has also donated services to Rebuilding Together to improve homes for low-income, elderly persons in the area and for 10 years has donated skills and material in support of St. Louis City’s “National Night Out” anti-crime program.

Scott Johnson, an electrician with M.R. Bathe Electric, splices the electrical switch box in the bedroom of a Habitat for Humanity home in the Mark Twain Neighborhood of North St. Louis. Johnson is one of many IBEW Local #1 union electricians and Electrical Connection members installing free wiring in 25 Habitat homes.

Mark Thiel, an electrician with M.R. Bathe Electric, installs a switch box in the dining room of a Habitat for Humanity home in North St. Louis.

Brent Miller, an electrician with M.R. Bathe Electric, prepares to hang a meter socket on the exterior of a Habitat for Humanity home in North St. Louis.