As president of The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 531, Jim Clarida believes in improving the quality of the lives around him. That is not limited to the men and women of his union. Before and after his election Clarida has reached out to people all across five counties.
Jim has been in this trade for 17 years. He graduated from Portage High School, went to Purdue Northwest (formerly Purdue North Central) for five years, then began his apprenticeship with the Brotherhood. He attended college with the intention of being an accountant but switched to marketing when it could not hold his interested. He earned an Associate’s degree in Marketing that still did not quite fit.
A friend introduced Jim to the idea of electrical work. The Union offered free training through a partnership with Ivy Tech. Their “Earn While You Learn” policy means they are giving students on the job training and experience, and compensating them for it. After schooling, electricians make a comfortable living wage. It sounded like the perfect job to Jim.
“You go to work and at the end of the day you actually see results,” he said. “It really makes you feel accomplished. There is a feeling of pride and satisfaction there.”
It takes 8,000 hours on the job to become a Journeyman Electrician. In that time, Jim learned more about his trade than he ever could have from a book. He was also taught welding, a course that is specific to industrial areas.
That does not mean his college education was all for naught however.
“It helped me with my job here, understanding that end of it,” he explained. “I do use some of the things I learned. It’s paid off.”
Jim spent three years on the Union’s Executive Board and three years as a record secretary. Like those two positions, his role as President is a three-year spot. Every third June a new election is held. The nominees gain popularity through word of mouth on job sites and mailers.
“I enjoy being out in the field, working with my hands. But someone has to be in [the office] and I felt I’d be a good choice. I do the best job I can. If it turns into another opportunity, it does. But I am perfectly happy doing what I am now.”
It is Jim's’ responsibility to negotiate contracts, answer insurance questions and run the meetings, to start. He and the Brotherhood have gotten involved in many charity projects and fundraisers around the community.
They have promised Habitat to Humanity free electrical work on 22 houses throughout the year, a donation that equates $60,000. The Brotherhood sets up Relay for Life, they provide lighting for local sports teams and ran electric for Worthy Women’s Recovery Home. They have committees, like Reach Out and Engage Next-Generation Electrical Workers, to get things done in the union and community.
“We want to pick everyone’s life up,” said Jim. “We want people to know that we are more than just a Union Hall. Anytime you have a community with people living better, it improves everything. Living wages and improved taxes equal better schools and nicer parks. It’s a rising ship.”
Jim's’ family is a part of that community. He works in La Porte and his children go to Boone Grove schools.
“I like La Porte County,” he said. “A lot of big things are coming here. It has a lot of potential developments.”