Quite a few of Local 103's future successful contractors got their start in house wiring. A small highly controlled group of electricians whose work progress could be measured daily and whose materials could be easily estimated was to have great bearing on the small shop as it was referred to. Small shops with low overhead, and little or no office help or estimators, employed a far greater percentage of Local 103 members than the big shops until the Roaring Twenties.

The Local Union agreement which covered the years July 1, 1914 through July 1, 1917. The wages for 1st class electricians in this contract was $4.40 per day, 2nd class $4.00 per day, 3rd class $3.00 per day, 4th class $2.20 per day and helpers $1.40 per day. The Boston Electrical Fixture Fitters and Hangers Union were working under the following agreement since 1913, (they were merged into Local 103 in 1922), $4.40 per day - 48 hour work week, and 44 hour work week (half Saturday - June through September) four months per year.