ABOUT US
The History Of Delphi Packard Electric and the IUE-CWA LOCAL 717
- We are based in Warren, Ohio where Packard Electric all started. The original Packard Electic Company was started by James Ward Packard and William Doud Packard in 1890. At that time there were about one dozen employees working to make the incandescent carbon-arc “Packard Lamp”.
- Operations started in a two-story structure on a 200-foot front section on North Park but no longer exists. In 1898, the Packard name was associated with the new industry of automobiles. J.W. Packard purchased an early model of the horseless carriage from the Winton Company. In 1898, the Packard name was associated with the new industry of automobiles. J.W. Packard purchased an early model of the horseless carriage from the Winton Company in Cleveland. It took him three days to drive 54 miles back to Warren, because it kept breaking down. When he did return he took the thing apart to see if he could see what made it “tick.” After he found out some new information on making it run smoother he went back to Cleveland with his ideas and was told, “If you think you can do better, build your own.” Packard Electric Automotive was started.
- In 1949 our Union ancestors wanted a “home of their own” for Local 717. They were tired of renting a one-room office to use as their headquarters. (This office was in downtown Warren at the Look Theater.) After all, the membership was growing and there was a need to have their own hall. So the quest began. It took a while, but the determination paid off and land was found. In 1954, land on Forrest, Paige, Bank, and Vine was bought and building started for the new “home”.
- By early 1956, IUE Local 717 had a new building with offices for each officer, a kitchen and meeting rooms for the members. It became known as the Robert H. Young Union Hall. Robert was actively involved withthe Union from 1949 until he retired in 1971. The hall served its purpose for many years, but as the membership grew so did the need for a new hall. Once again land was searched for and finally found.
- Dedication for the Edward L Fire Union Hall was in 1998. Ed was the president of the International IUE and came from Local 717 where he was president from 1965-1974.
- In 1999 Delphi Packard Electric spun off from Auto Maker General Motors. In 2001 the IUE international union made a choice to combine with the CWA (Communication Workers of America). Currently we are known as IUE-CWA LOCAL 717
- In January of 2018 Delphi split into two entities; Delphi Technologies and APTIV. Currently Warren Operations is now part of APTIV.