RALPH MERRIWEATHER

Ralph Merriweather was a dedicated organizer and champion for working people across the state. 

Raised in San Marcos, Texas, Merriweather served in the U.S. Navy during the height of the Vietnam War. He returned to San Marcos after his service to begin working at Widelight, an electrical manufacturing firm, where he joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520. He has remained a member of IBEW Local 520 for more than 55 years. 

In 1976, Merriweather became one of the first African Americans in Central Texas to graduate as a Journeyman Wireman, completing IBEW’s four-year apprenticeship program. He went on to run several large electrical construction projects in Central Texas.

As an organizer for IBEW Local 520, Merriweather vastly expanded the union’s membership — swearing in more than 1,500 new electricians. He was named the top Building Trades Organizer in the United States, and caught the attention of the IBEW International Office. As an International Representative, he brought to life an entirely new union in the Rio Grande Valley — IBEW Local 1015.

Merriweather, a Master Electrician, also served as the President of the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus beginning in 1996, President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists in 1996, and President of the A. Philip Randolph Institute in 1997. He also was involved with the Austin Central Labor Council, the Central Texas Building & Construction Trades Council, the Texas Workforce Development Board, the City of Austin’s Electrical Advisory Board, and many other service-oriented boards and councils. 

Leading a life of service, Merriweather has inspired countless other union members to be better organizers and leaders.