Since we achieve bargaining power only by uniting, the first goal of the IBEW is to organize all electrical workers into local unions. Therefore, Local 617 actively seeks electricians, sound and communications workers, and electrical transit technicians from the nonunion sector for membership.

We invite nonunion electricians to explore the union alternative:

• Union Ideas and Advantages—what the union stands for and the advantages and benefits of working union
• Wages and Benefits—journeyman electrician wages and benefits
• The Retirement Plans—an overview of Local 617’s retirement plan
• Compound Interest—the source of our retirement security
• Spreadsheet One—a year by year example of the magic of compound interest
• Spreadsheet Two—spreadsheet one adjusted for inflation
• The NEBF Pension Plan—the National Electrical Benefit Fund
• The Health Insurance Plan—employer paid health insurance for the worker, spouse and dependents
• Union Job Security—depending on an employer for a steady job has risks
• Union Competitiveness—by working for less, you’re not being competitive, you’re being taken advantage of
• Working out of the Union Hiring Hall—there are definite advantages to the union hiring system
• Union Dues—how the money is spent
• Training and Apprenticeship—the union system emphasizes education
• Unions and Society—past US presidents felt the Labor Movement makes an essential contribution
• The Law and Unions—Labor’s role has legal protection
• The Need for Unions—unions help to protect against the natural human greed and selfishness
• Contact the Organizer—take the first step