How do I join the IBEW?
How do we form a union?
You may become a member by any of the following means:
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Based on your experience in the electrical trade you may be brought in to the CW or CE classification where you receive credit for your experience and are given a path to become an IBEW Journeyman Wireman
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Applying for an IBEW apprenticeship program. Meet the minimum qualifications. Take and pass an aptitude test. Obtain an interview. Get placed on an eligibility list that the local union uses to pick its new apprentices.
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Those of you with enough relevant experience will qualify to take the IBEW Journeyman Wireman Evaluation. Passing the evaluation is all it takes to gain the status of an IBEW Inside Journeyman Wireman
Alternatively
You may join your fellow AE Rosen Electric employees in organizing your workplace. Sign an authorization card giving the IBEW the right to bargain on your behalf. You will become a union who negotiates a contract with AE Rosen Electric covering wages, hours, and working conditions.
Signing a card means you want a process where you and fellow employees have a meaningful voice in your workplace and are no longer satisfied to leave all the important decisions up to management. Signing this card gives employees the right to have an open and free election without company intimidation, and the right to decide for yourself if you want a voice in your workplace and your future.
The ability to form a union can be achieved by the following:
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Employees sign IBEW authorization cards
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When a majority of authorization cards have been secured, the IBEW will ask your employer to recognize your union
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If the employer refuses to recognize your union, the IBEW will petition the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a secret-ballot election
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The NLRB then sets a date when you will vote, by secret ballot to be represented by the IBEW
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Once the election is over, and the majority of employees vote in favor of union representation, the employer is legally bound to bargain with the IBEW with changes the employees want to make to better their working conditions, your contract
What is an IBEW authorization card?
What are my rights to form or join the IBEW?
An authorization card is a card or petition signed by an employee indicating his or her desire to form a union at their place of employment.
An authorization card is needed to determine sufficent interest from the employees in seeking to collectively bargain with their employer. Once employees determine that they want the opportunity to vote in a secret ballot election, the cards are forwarded to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to support the employees petition., who will then schedule and conduct a secret ballot election.
“Only a fool would try to deprive working men and working women of their right to join the union of their choice.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Your right to join a union is protected by Federal Law
Employers cannot:
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Discriminate against union supporters by discharging, demoting, denying promotion, changing shifts or jobs, withdrawing benefits or cutting wages
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Favor employees who do not support the union over those who do in promotions, job assignments, wages, hours, enforcement of rules, or any other working conditions
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Shut down work or take away benefits and/or privileges that employees already enjoy in order to discourage union activity
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Intimidate employees for supporting the union
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Spy on employees by means of eavesdropping, taping, filming, photographing, phone tapping, or tracking attendance at union meetings or functions