IBEW Facts

Out of Work.

Many workers are fearful that they will become laid off or out of work if they join the IBEW. When you join the IBEW, you not only have the ability to work out of your own local union, but you can travel and work out of any local union in the country.  During slow times, many members choose to travel and work out of a different local union.  In addition, for those that are willing to help non-union electricians organize, IBEW members have the ability to work for non-union contractors and educate both the contractor and their employees on the benefits of becoming union.  The fact is IBEW represented electricians  are the only ones that have the ability to work Union or non-Union.

Traveling.

Your Union membership is your resume. Whether it be for opportunity, adventure, or just for a change in scenery. Our members have the ability to travel and work across the country. When they do, the member can choose to have the employer-paid retirement contributions sent to the member’s home local.  And the member can also choose to have a portion of their employer-paid health care contribution sent back to their home local.  This allows our members the freedom to travel where they choose and know that they will have continuity in their healthcare coverage and build their retirement.

Safety.

Ensuring The safety of our members has been one of the principle objectives of the IBEW since it’s founding, when on-the-job accidents claimed the lives of one out of every two electrical workers. We continue our commitment to safety through our International Offices’ Safety Department and Local Union safety and health committees. 

Our Local Unions work to ensure that our members are safe, have basics like cold water and PPE, and that the latest COVID-19 safety protocols and practices are in place on the job.

Picket Lines.

Picket lines are established against an employer -not employees. You may have seen or even been on a job that had a picket line. Berg has been the subject of many picket lines that are typically a result of Berg’s unfair wages. Union’s don’t picket employers that take care of their workers, pay a fair wage, and provide good healthcare. Unions picket bad players. This is why Berg has been the subject of area standard picket lines. Berg has paid  its workers less than the area standard.

Prevailing Wage.

IBEW Journeymen earn at least the prevailing wage on both private and public work. If your tired of your pay changing from job to job, you’re going to like the stability of an IBEW paycheck. We work hard to ensure that IBEW members are making the best wages.

Apprenticeship.

The IBEW is proud of the nationally accredited apprenticeship program that we have built with our Contractor partners. Many members have been through an IBEW apprenticeship and many have not. If you are currently a non-union apprentice, you have the ability to transfer into an IBEW apprenticeship where you will earn while you learn. Our apprenticeship also offers upgrade and refresher courses to those that are more experienced in their electrical career. We welcome workers of all experience and skill levels. If you choose to meet with one of our organizers, we will work to see that you have access to any of the training you desire.

Seniority.

There are a lot of myths about seniority. The IBEW represents thousands of workers in utilities, manufacturing, and municipalities, and contracts in those industries typically have seniority protections.  But those types of contracts don’t work in construction.  The vast majority of IBEW construction agreements do not have seniority language. We recognize that our employers need who they need, when they need them,  Our contracts are also negotiated to reflect the wishes of the membership. A local Union organizer can answer any of your specific questions about seniority.

Licensing.

Many want to know if they have to have a state license/certification to become a member. The answer is no. Many states don’t even require a certification to perform electrical work. Having a state license does open up opportunity for you as an electrician and that is why we offer prep courses for state licensing. The IBEW is all about opportunity.

Strikes.

Many non-Union workers don’t want to worry about going on strike. Although rare, strikes have happened in the past. For such to happen - the members must vote on and make the decision to go on strike. This is an extreme measure that is only done when members feel that an Employer is being completely unreasonable. Many steps must be taken before the decision to go on strike is even entertained. Many IBEW Locals have moved away from using strikes as a means to get fair contracts. In most cases IBEW Construction Local Unions file for binding arbitration with the Council of Industrial Relations (CIR).  CIR is a a system where if the employer and union cannot agree on a contract, instead of going on strike to secure a fair contract, the union can go to binding arbitration before a panel of union and management representatives, who will determine the contract.  For Example: IBEW 569 just used this process to secure a 5.9% wage increase +$2.65 to $47.65 per hour.

Job Referral.

Commonly referred to as the “Books”- The IBEW refers qualified electricians to our signatory contractors. A union dispatcher informs individuals that are on our “Books” of the job calls available. IBEW job referral or “Books” are just fancy way of saying “line”. If you want a job with an IBEW Contractor you simply get in line with other qualified electricians and have access to the most challenging and exciting Electrical work in the country.

S.P.A.R.Q.

SPARQ represents the core values of the IBEW Code of Excellence. It's a simple acronym that stands for the promise we make every day as IBEW members when we go to work, regardless of the job site.

 Safety, Professionalism, Accountability, Relationships, and Quality. 

Anti-Union.

While we work hard to correct any wrongs of the past, sometimes people just don’t get along. We know Berg Management has taken a very anti-Union approach and may have spread lies about the IBEW. Employers are typically anti-Union out of greed, or the fear of losing control. They want to hold employees accountable, but management themselves don’t want to be held accountable. IBEW members have a protected voice in their workplace and that scares some employers. A good employer knows that there is nothing to fear. A good employer shares the wealth and welcomes employee input.

Politics.

Politics can be a touchy subject. That is why the IBEW has separate programs such as PACs for when it comes to politics. General Membership monies are not used to contribute to federal candidates. If a member chooses to donate to or participate in an IBEW PAC, that is their personal choice. IBEW PACs focus on issues and legislation that affect working peoples’ ability to be prosperous. Green Energy, Wage and Hour Laws, Safety, Workplace Rights, Prevailing Wages, and Healthcare are of great importance to workers and having a PAC is a way of ensuring that our voices are heard.

Testing.

The IBEW strives for the highest wages for workers in the electrical industry. Part of commanding those wages is our ability to provide a skilled and vetted workforce. If you as a worker can prove experience in multiple facets of our field, hold licensing, have ran work, and/or can prove your skill in other ways - You will likely qualify for membership without having to test. If that isn’t the case, we will work with you to schedule a written and/or hands on standardized test. If there is a part of the test that isn’t passed - we offer specific classes to help.  Meet with an Organizer today - you’ve got nothing to lose.

Contractors.

The IBEW has many Union contractors and we are adding to them every year! As they continue to grow, so do we. We want our Union contractors to be successful, because their success ensures our members’ success. Through collective bargaining, IBEW members have a more transparent relationship with their employers and we work to ensure that contractors’ wealth and success is shared with the workers.

Quality.

As trades people we take a lot of pride in our work. As IBEW members we have a voice in our workplace that allows us to advocate for how work is performed. IBEW employers are responsible for tools, material, and information. IBEW members are responsible to install and perform work in a professional manner.

The Rat.

You may have seen an inflatable rat or heard the term and we admit that it is not the most charming method of outreach. But there is nothing charming about an employer that takes advantage of its workforce. Bad employers are the rats we describe. The term “Rat” has never been meant to describe a worker and we realize that Union or not - you’re just working to survive. A rat is an employer who exploits this --a contractor that takes advantage of its employees.

Code of Excellence.

The Code of Excellence is a program designed to bring out the best in our construction members and demonstrate to our customers that IBEW members:

Perform the highest quality and quantity of work, utilize their skills and abilities to the maximum, and exercise safe and productive work practices.

The Code of Excellence is not only about an IBEW job built right the first time, on schedule and under budget; it is also about pride in IBEW membership and craftsmanship and leaving a lasting impression of quality workmanship with the customer…thus, prompting that customer to again employ the IBEW on future projects. The Code of Excellence program is also a means to build and project positive attitudes about who we are and the work we do…on and off the job.