IBEW History

 

A Storied Past

Founded around the turn of the 20th century in 1891 as a wing of the AFL, the The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) emerged out of simply horrid working conditions for electrical workers.

 

At the time of their founding, being an electrical worker meant making about $10 a week, low even for the era and a death/injury rate that was double other industrial jobs. At one point a staggering 1 out of 2 linemen and wiremen died on the job in certain cities. Thus the IBEW was largely founded to give these workers the working conditions that all American’s today would consider a fundamental human right.

 

Quickly the IBEW made history when they admitted their first women members a year after their founding in 1892, and in the coming decades the IBEW largely focused on expansion of the union. The IBEW was also a trendsetter in improving employee-employer relationships. By establishing the Council on Industrial Relations (CIR) in 1919, which allows for a balanced discussion between labor and management the IBEW has been able to settle thousands of disputes without striking, earning them the title of being a “strikeless industry.”

 

This is a model that many other unions are still trying to perfect today. Following WWI, membership struggled, but as Franklin D. Roosevelt assumed office, and pro-labor legislation was passed.

 

FDR’s pro-labor legislation paid off when the IBEW had an action plan ready for WWII only 72 hours after a formal request had been made. Many IBEW members served honorably during WWII in a variety of roles both on the home-front and on the war-front.

 

As the modern era emerged, IBEW’s membership surged, and members were cared for with well financed and fair pension plans. In fact by 1974, about 3,000 delegates represented over a million members at the IBEW Convention. Unfortunately since the 1980’s the political climate has caused a decline in membership, but today the IBEW still stands strong at about 750,000 members, ready to serve as needed while protecting the rights and dignity of its members.