Home » All News
» IBEW International News

IBEW International News

Last Year's Signings Reap This Year's Gains for California Locals and Contractors

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."

Florida Open Shop Workers Strike Over Unsafe Conditions

Fired up by unsafe conditions on a school construction project in thinly-populated south Florida, over a dozen nonunion workers walked off the job and turned to IBEW's Florida Initiative for help.

"Nonunion workers going on strike is unheard of," said IBEW organizer Jon Dehmel of Tampa, Florida IBEW Local 915, praising the courage of the crew, who stayed off the job for three days.

Workers for Tampa-based Energy Electric have reported that scaffolding on the job was held together with tie wire.  Painters were using gas-powered sprayers without proper ventilation, spreading fumes.  Workers on the roof were throwing concrete blocks to the ground. Concrete was being ground without proper dust control.