Becoming An IBEW Contractor

Here's why you should become a union contractor:

As more than 250 contractors in south central Michigan have discovered, there are many compelling reasons to become a union contractor affiliated with IBEW Local 252

• Access to Trained Manpower
• Connection to National Organizations
• Continuing Professional Education
• Coordinated Marketing & Advertising Strategies
• No fees
• Pension & Benefits Administration
• +5 Homeowner's Electrical Protection Plan
• Representation on the Labor-Management Cooperative Committee
• Representation on Negotiating Committee

Access to Trained Manpower

As we say in our award-winning marketing brochure, we provide "experience, expertise, and the most qualified workers available." Whether you need high voltage specialists, PLC experts, welders or journeymen, just call the union office and tell them what you need. You'll also have the right of refusal, if for any reason you'd prefer to work with specific individuals. You can also call the business office to book members who are available for out-of-town projects. With more than 850 members, IBEW Local 252 can provide the trained electricians you need for any size project.

To make sure that the supply of trained, qualified workers is constant, IBEW Local 252 contractors and members sponsor a certified Apprenticeship Training Center. The Training Center offers:

• a 5-year "Inside Wireman" apprenticeship program
• a 3-year "Residential Wireman" apprenticeship program
• a 3-year "Voice, Data, Video" apprenticeship program

All programs combine classroom instruction and on-the-job training from experienced journeyman. As a union contractor, you'll be represented by contractor representatives on the Training Committee.

Connection to National Organizations

All contractors affiliated with IBEW Local 252 qualify for membership in the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the South Central Division Michigan Chapter NECA. As a member of these organizations, you'll have the political representation you need to make sure that your interests are protected with regulatory agencies. You'll also be able to take advantage of numerous membership benefits, including regular meetings and industry-wide representation. You'll also work closely with the representatives of IBEW Local 252 to make sure that the personnel you need are available when you need them and to draw on a network of other union offices for out-of-town projects.

Continuing Professional Education

As the electrical industry changes to meet the needs of the marketplace, it's essential that both contractors and union members learn new techniques and technology. Ongoing professional education and training classes are provided to keep you current with what you'll need to know about code changes, new technologies, new regulations and other essential information.

Coordinated Marketing & Advertising Strategies

As a union contractor, you'll be represented on the joint management/labor Marketing Committee. You'll be a partner in a comprehensive marketing and advertising campaign to show the benefits of hiring union electrical contractors and workers. Strategies include the establishment of a marketing-oriented web site with with a searchable contractor database; regular advertising in business and trade publications; newspaper ads; radio commercials; and appearances at trade shows and career day presentations.

We have also instituted the nationally-advertised +5 Homeowner's Electrical Protection Plan to serve the new home construction and remodeling market (see below). We also participate in numerous charitable community projects throughout the year, providing services and materials to promote our contractors and members, and to help our neighbors.

No Fees

Unlike joining some organizations, becoming a union contractor does not require any fee or other payment to the union. There are no "initiation' fees, performance bonds or cash bonds required. Your sole obligation is to agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the master contract negotiated between South Central Division Michigan Chapter NECA and IBEW Local 252.

Pensions & Benefits Administration

Tracking pension, benefits and insurance payments is simple because the IBEW Local 252 Fringe Funds office handles all of the paperwork and plan administration. Your responsibility is limited to filling out the normal payroll report, and the checks for the benefits programs.

Because health insurance premiums are included in master contract, any increases in premium costs are absorbed by the union. There is no charge to a contractor for any increases.

+5 Homeowner's Guaranteed Protection Plan

As a contractor affiliated with IBEW Local 252, you'll be able to take advantage of the nationwide value-added +5 Homeowner's Electrical Protection Plan, which is designed to enhance the benefits of using union electrical labor to developers of new home construction and remodelers.

When new home shoppers buy a new home wired by a union electrical contractor (whose electricians belong to IBEW Local 252) working with a participating builder, the wiring is automatically protected free for an additional five years beyond the builder's basic one-year warranty. The program covers the original home owner for work performed by IBEW Local 252 electricians on newly-built or remodeled homes, in the unlikely event that electrical problems should develop during the five years following the builder's one-year warranty.

The +5 Homeowner's Electrical Protection Plan is provided at absolutely no additional expense to the builder, remoderler or new home buyer.

Representation on the Labor-Management Cooperative Committee

As a contractor affiliated with IBEW Local 252, you'll receive representation on the Labor-Management Cooperative Committee. Contractors and electricians work together to determine the best ways to build market share for union contractors and electricians, advance the union movement, and reconcile any differences that may occur.

Representation on Negotiating Committee

All contractors affilitated with IBEW Local 252 are represented by a team of negotiators selected by all member contractors. Whether you employ 2 or 200 electricians, you'll have a voice in all contract negotiations.