ABOUT US

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)

is a union of 775,000 members, making us the largest organization of electrical workers in North America. Our members work in nearly every part of the economy: Utilities, Construction, Government, Railroad, Manufacturing, Broadcasting, Telecommunications

Formed in 1891, we have earned our reputation as the oldest, largest, and most professional electrical union in the world. Our members can be found on the job at construction sites, power plants, factories, offices, shipyards, tv studios, and rail yards.

We know that there's strength in numbers and have proven a path to help get results. By securing good wages, solid benefits, and safer job sites, our union helps build a better road to the middle class for all working families.

OUR HISTORY

1891 - NATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS (N.B.E.W.) WAS FORMED IN ST LOUIS

1899 - AT THE SIXTH CONVENTION, THE NAME OF THE UNION WAS CHANGED TO WHAT IT IS TODAY: INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS (I.B.E.W.).

1903 - I.B.E.W. LOCAL NO. 360 IS CHARTERED IN SIOUX FALLS, SD

1909 - LOCAL NO. 360 GOES DEFUNCT

1916 - I.B.E.W. LOCAL NO. 426 IS CHARTERED AS A MIXED-CLASSIFICATION LOCAL WITH 35 INITIAL MEMBERS OF OUTSIDE LINEMAN, INSIDE WIREMEN AND MOTION PICTURE OPERATORS.

1916 - MOTION PICTURE OPERATORS LEAVE THE I.B.E.W. AND JOIN INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THEATRICAL STATE EMPLOYEES (I.A.T.S.E).

1919 - COUNCIL ON INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (CIR) IS ESTABLISHED TO ARBITRATE CONTRACT DISPUTES AND AVOID STRIKES.

1920 - AFTER SEVERAL MOVES THE IBEW HEADQUARTERS IS RELOCATED PERMANENTLY TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

1927 - AT THE 19TH NATIONAL CONVENTION, THE IBEW PENSION PLAN WAS ESTABLISHED.

1929 - LAST CONVENTION HELD FOR 12 YEARS DUE TO THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

1941- THE GOLDEN JUBILEE YEAR OF THE FOUNDING OF OUR BROTHERHOOD AND THE 21ST NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD IN ST. LOUIS, WHERE IT ALL BEGAN. 869 LOCAL UNIONS AND NEARLY 200,000 MEMBERS WERE REPRESENTED.

1941 - THE NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP STANDARDS FOR THE ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WERE ESTABLISHED.

1947 - THE NATIONAL JOINT APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED.

1954 - THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN CHICAGO BOASTS 3,138 DELEGATES REPRESENTING A MEMBERSHIP OF 625,000.

1974 - MEMBERSHIP REACHES MORE THAN ONE MILLION MEMBERS.

1991 - 34TH NATIONAL CONVENTION CELEBRATES THE 100-YEAR MILESTONE OF OUR BROTHERHOOD

2001 - 36TH NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA

2006 - LOCAL 426 CELEBRATES THE 90TH YEAR MILESTONE WITH RECOGNITION BANQUET

2008 - LOCAL 426 REPRESENTS OVER 620 MEMBERS IN THE LOCAL JURISDICTION

2011 - LOCAL 426 CELEBRATES THE 95TH YEAR WITH RECOGNITION BANQUET AND STARTS PLANNING 100TH

2016 - LOCAL 426 CELEBRATES THE 100TH YEAR WITH RECOGNITION BANQUET