For years, unions have been the driving force for worker's wages in their communities.  We were fortunate in the past to have an abundance of work in the industrial and manufacturing sector.  This allowed all of us to raise our standard of living to a comfortable level.  The last decade has brought about many changes; plant closures, outsourcing of manufacturing and an influx of "Out of Town" contractors.  These "Out of Towners" have h elped create a dramatic shift in the amount of projects being done and awarded to our local contractors.  We have also seen an increase in the layoff time and a decrease in our yearly  wages.

The IBEW is committed to recapture all electrical work and to have all electrical workers making a livable wage.  To help assist us in this, we have put in place an agreement for small projects.  You may have noticed that IBEW contractors are being awarded projects that predominately went non-union.  This is not just by chance; it is a result of our new small works agreement.  Ultimately this is a race to the bottom which began when we lowered our wages on these small projects.  As we lower our wages, the resulting lower bids will lower profits for ALL contractors both union and non-union.  Why should we battle each other when it makes more sense to work together? 

The objects of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers:  

• To organize all workers in the entire electrical industry in the United States and Canada, including all those in public utilities and electrical manufacturing, into local unions
• To promote reasonable methods of work
• To cultivate feelings of friendship among those of our industry
• To settle all disputes between employers and employees by arbitration (if possible)
• To assist each other in sickness or distress
• To secure employment
• To reduce the hours of daily labor
• To secure adequate pay for our work
• To seek a higher and higher standard of living
• To seek security for the individual
• And by legal and proper means to elevate the moral, intellectual and social conditions of our members, their families and dependents, in the interest of a higher standard of citizenship.   

If you are interested in finding out more about your local IBEW and working under a collectively bargained agreement contact:
JR Roark (440)935-2756
OR
Lroark@ibew129.org