International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming

Industry and the IBEW

The IBEW is proud of its relationship with industry employers, which have made IBEW- represented industries some of the most successful and prosperous in the U.S. and Canada. The IBEW represents over 400,000 employees of the following industries:

• Electric and Gas Utilities
• Water Utilities
• Electrical Manufacturing
• Electrical Equipment Service
• Electronic Manufacturing
• Electrical/Electronic Maintenance and Service
• Telephone Companies
• Cable Television Companies
• Telecommunication Carriers
• Telecommunication Service
• Professional Engineers and Technicians
• Sound and Public Address Installation and Service
• Radio/Television Broadcasting
• Radio/Television Service/Repair
• Nuclear Services
• Motion Picture Studios
• Alarm/Signal Installation and Repair

From the largest power generator to the smallest microcomponent, IBEW members proudly serve to make North America a vibrant, productive society. We are proud of our accomplishments, and our IBEW employers for the contribution we all make to keep North America bright and prosperous.

The IBEW Stands for Industrial Democracy

What is Industrial Democracy?

Without a Union in the workplace, employees are employed at the will of the employer. Most all states in the U.S. have state laws which state that employees have no rights (other than statutory rights) to any aspect of their employment. With a Union and a collective bargaining agreement (a contract), an employer is legally bound to negotiate terms and conditions of employment. The result of that negotiation is discussed and voted upon by the employees covered under the contract, and if approved by a majority of the employees, the contract becomes the defining document for terms and conditions of employemnt for employees.

This, purely and simply, is what a Union is.

Unorganized employers oft times portray Unions as some evil presence in the workforce and society, which impose severe limitations on employees. Nothing can be further from the truth. Unions are employees, and the employees are the Union.

Can the IBEW Make a Difference in My Workplace?

Unions exist to level the playing field for all employers in a respective industry. Without a balance between workers and employers, history shows that employee wages and benefits are reduced to make employers more competitive. If a majority of workers in a given industry stabilize wages and conditions for that industry theough Unions, employers then must compete with innovation and productivity.

Unions can and do make a difference in the workplace. The IBEW can make a difference in yours as well. Click here to find out more about how the IBEW can assist you and your co-workers in achieving workplace democracy. It's your right. All inquiries will remain confidential.

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© Copyright 2002, International Brotherhood of ElectricalWorkers, Eighth District. All rights reserved.