History Of Local Union 363 IBEW

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. 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 of the position of Business Manager in 1947.

The construction of Camp Shanks in Orangeburg 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. During his long tenure, Pat E. Damiani became one of the most respected labor leaders on the East Coast. In 1980, he retired as Business Manager after more than 33 years.. Cosmo Damiani succeeded him as Business Manager in 1980 and served until his death in 1990.

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.

From 1990 to 2005, Local 363 was under the leadership of Joseph Maraia and Local 363 expanded its jurisdiction through a series of mergers with other IBEW local unions (215, 806, 1725, 133, 645, 631, 1968) and now served 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.

Along with its strong commitment to the community, Local 363 has a rich history of participation in the political process. John Maraia became Business Manager of Local 363 from 2005 to 2011 and he persevered with the same dedication as his predecessors. From educating members on issues important to workers, to actively supporting candidates for office, Local 363 continues its longstanding tradition of political action that John demonstrated during his tenure. Also the fund administrator, John led the funds out of the near depression last decade and left them in the solid financial shape they are in today.

Today Sam Fratto is the Business Manager of IBEW Local 363. Business Manager Fratto has been a well known labor leader throughout the Hudson Valley, the IBEW and the entire New York State. He has been a staunch protector of workers rights and the IBEW for over 42 years, 33 as a Business Manager. Our local is in the good hands of a fair man who cares about working people and who will lead our organization into the future.

Since its inception, Local 363 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.

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 across New York State in electrical construction, voice and data cabling, telecommunications, photovoltaic, utility workers, electrical manufacturing, electrical supplies and distribution, and public sector maintenance.

We are a local union of American middle class workers who take great pride in the accomplishments of their forefathers, who carry a strong commitment to meeting the demands of the future and who will work diligently to protect the American middle class way of life for all who work for a living.

Come join us.

Sam Fratto
Business Manager
Local Union 363 IBEW