As union members, we bargain collectively with our employers over wages, benefits, and rights.

We have the best chance of receiving better wages, benefits and fair treatment in the workplace by bargaining collectively as a union. Most of us have very limited bargaining power as one person, but as a group, we are strong. And, with a good negotiated contract, we have legal protections we would not have otherwise.

Wages

Union membership brings many benefits to working people. One of the major benefits includes weekly earnings. The data below show that union workers, on average, made $161 or 27% more per week than nonunion workers in 2003. Furthermore, when breaking it down to both industries and occupational categories, the union difference becomes even clearer.

Benefits

Union workers are more likely than their nonunion counterparts to receive health care and pension benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In 1999, 73 percent of union workers in medium and large establishments had medical care benefits, compared with only 51 percent of nonunion workers. Union workers are also more likely to have retirement and short-term disability benefits.

Job Stability

50 percent of union workers have been with their current employers for at least 10 years, only 32 percent of nonunion workers can make the same claim. Union workers have greater job stability, in part because they are more satisfied with their jobs, receive better pay, have better benefits and have access to fair grievance procedures. Even more important, most collective bargaining agreements protect union members from unjust discharge. Nonunion workers are "employees at will" who can be fired at any time for any reason - or for no reason.

Work Environment

The safety of our members has been one of the principal objectives of the IBEW since it's founding when on-the-job accidents claimed the lives of one out of every two workers.

The IBEW Constitution states:
Each Local Union shall have a safety and health committee which shall: investigate and report serious accidents and fatalities......promote safety & health and cooperate with safety organizations as determined by the Local Union ........................... IBEW Constitution, Article 16, Sec. 15.

Need another reason to form or belong to a union?

Under the employment at will doctrine, the cornerstone of American employment law, in general terms, unless we belong to a protected group, our employer has the right to discipline or terminate, with impunity, us for any reason -- even a bad one -- or for no reason at all.  That's why it is sometimes called the fire at will doctrine.

With a collective bargaining agreement, we have rights.  Management must have "just cause" for any disciplinary action taken against a union employee. "Just cause" is spelled out in our union contract so that we know exactly what is expected of us.