History of IBEW Local Union 363

On October 10, 1925, a small group of eighteen electrical workers was granted a charter from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and formed IBEW Local Union 363. The founding members of this new local union would meet at the Odd Fellows Hall in Nyack, NY. In subsequent years, as Rockland County’s population and economy grew, Local 363’s membership and involvement in the community grew as well.

The construction of Camp Shanks in Orangeburg during the 1940s greatly increased the demand for trained electrical workers in Rockland County and provided employment opportunities for the expanding Local 363 membership. That regional expansion continued with the construction of the Tappan Zee Bridge, the NYS Thruway, and the Palisades Parkway.

In performing its primary duties as a labor union, Local 363 established and successfully maintained a level of wages and benefits for its members that were suitable for a skilled worker. A self-funded health insurance system and a secure pension are some of the benefits that have developed over the years.

Since its inception, Local 363 also has maintained a strong commitment to the community. From charitable contributions for projects like a new wing at Good Samaritan Hospital and providing volunteers to install new lighting for the Boy Scout Council in Dingman Lodge, Local 363 has never lost its sense of community. Today, Local 363 holds yearly events such as a blood-bank drive for the American Red Cross and a sponsorship of the American Heart Association’s Walk-for-Life. Sponsoring Little League teams, lighting for playgrounds, and electrical wiring for Habitat for Humanities, are just a few other ways Local 363 continues to support the community.

Along with its strong commitment to the community, Local 363 has a rich history of participation in the political process. From educating its members on issues important to workers, to actively supporting candidates for office, Local 363 continues its longstanding tradition of political action.

In its early years, Local 363 functioned without a Business Manager. In 1930, John McGuigan became the local union’s first Business Manager, and was followed by John Doerzaph and later George Schrader. Pat E. Damiani took the reins in 1947 and held the position of Business Manager until his retirement in 1980. His son Cosmo Damiani succeeded him until his death in 1990. From 1990 to 2005, Local 363 was under the leadership of Joseph Maraia and became the first labor organization in Rockland County to negotiate a three-year contract. Presently, John Maraia is Business Manager of Local 363 and perseveres with the same dedication as his predecessors.

Local 363 expanded its jurisdiction through a series of mergers with other IBEW local unions (215, 806, 1725, 133, 645, 631, 1968) and now serves Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Delaware, and Greene Counties. To meet the increasing demand for trained electrical workers and to keep pace with rapidly changing technology, Local 363 constructed a new state of the art regional training facility in Harriman, NY.

From eighteen Rockland County electricians who formed a local union in 1925, IBEW Local 363 has grown to become a large local union with thousands of members in electrical construction, voice and data cabling, telecommunications, photovoltaic, utility workers, electrical manufacturing, electrical supplies and distribution, and public sector maintenance. It is a local union of workers who take great pride in the accomplishments of their forefathers and carry a strong commitment to meeting the demands of the future.