When Corporate Construction Services signed a letter of assent with Martinez, California, IBEW Local 302 in May 2005, the firm scored a double play. 

They recruited highly-qualified electricians and installers for their projects.  Then co-owner Gary Bauer switched his twin sons, Mark and Paul, from an open-shop apprenticeship to the IBEW's joint apprenticeship training program.

"Our instructors and journeymen working with the Bauer brothers are impressed with their determination and desire to become qualified IBEW journeymen inside wiremen," says "Bart" Barton, Local 302 organizer. "Gary Bauer is the kind of guy you want to work for," Barton states. "He follows our agreements."

Gary Bauer started as a general contractor and developer of residences and later moved into warehouse and commercial renovation, while subcontracting most electrical work to union shops.  When Scott Dagner joined Bauer's company, they decided to perform their own electrical work.

The company moved into the cellular site construction market after they watched telephone towers popping up everywhere to relay signals across the region's hilly terrain. Today, Corporate employs six IBEW members, including four journeymen inside wiremen as foremen and two sound and communication system installers.

Giacolone Electric's signing with San Jose Local 332 in July 2005 was the culmination of years of dialogue, says Robert Tragni, the local's business manager. Earlier, Vacaville Local 1245 had come close to signing Giacolone; so had Castroville Local 234.

The firm, founded in the 1980's, and employing several trades, has projects spanning northern California. Between 250 and 300 workers dig underground joint trenches to bringing utility and communication services to residences and commercial buildings. Many more workers are assigned to traffic signals, duct banks, line work, commercial and residential projects.

The pivot point in Giacolone's relationship to the IBEW was the local's display of its apprenticeship program to the firm's owners, who were concerned about maintaining state certification.  The IBEW was also an attractive alternative to Giacolone electricians who had joined another building trade union, but were frustrated by the lack of representation.

Today Local 332 has approximately 50 electricians and apprentices working for Giacolone.  Castroville, California Local 234 employs another 43.