Becoming a Signatory Contractor

INTRODUCTION

The IBEW Local #143 provides clients throughout the Greater Harrisburg Area with highly-trained, highly-qualified electrical workers. Our objective is to help our clients and our members prosper by providing the most productive, cost-effective, quality-minded workforce available anywhere. This objective is our commitment as a business organization serving a constructive role for this industry and your business.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The IBEW Local #143 provides trained professional electricians to commercial, industrial, and residential building contractors. We have approximately 600 members in good standing in and around the Greater Harrisburg Area available to our partnering contractors for short and long-term employment. To ensure the ongoing availability of trained, qualified workers, we also operate a nationally recognized apprenticeship program.

KEY BENEFITS

Here are some of the key benefits to becoming an affiliated client:

Flexible help – Having the help you need when you need it saves you money on labor costs. IBEW members are available when you need them, for as long as you need them, even in cities where you don’t usually do business. When you are done, their employment concludes or you can move them to another job. No recruitment or advertising is necessary. No time is wasted chasing and interviewing new prospects. No “trying them out for a week or two.” We can put skilled, qualified workers on your doorstep in less than 48 hours, every time.

• Training – We spend more than $167,000 a year training contractor employees in trade related and safety areas. Every union employee you hire will save you the hassle and expense (typically between $500 and $2000 per employee per year) of providing this training for your employees.
• Lower safety-related costs – Our uniform training programs stress the connection between safety and competitiveness. IBEW members put safety first every time, which means you save on comp costs, downtime costs, and absenteeism costs.
• Productivity – Higher productivity means higher profits. IBEW members have to be the best trained, most highly skilled and productive craftsmen available anywhere. That means no rework. That means on-time and on-budget. That means no unskilled hands.
• Supervision – How long does it take you to develop a good foreman or superintendent? How much money does it cost you along the way? One of the most common reasons companies like yours become union contractors is that they want to grow. We can provide qualified supervision. If you could add two foreman and crews next year, how much would that add to your bottom line?

COST SAVINGS

• No benefits administration costs – one-stop solution
• Savings on prevailing wage projects with no load paid on the fringe benefits
• Savings from using approved apprentices at much lower rates; training while lowering your overall costs
• Lower turnover, as most of our members are in it for a career and not just a job

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will it cost my company to join?

Answer: There is no cost to the employer. The employees pay union dues.

Question: Once I have hired someone, how long must I keep him or her employed?

Answer: How long you need to keep them is your choice.

Question: What if I hire someone, and they are not working out?

Answer: Just like in an open shop environment, there will be times when you will get an individual from us who does not fit your company. All you need to do is send them back and we will get you someone else. The likelihood of this is greatly reduced when using our electricians.

Question: I heard the IBEW would tell me how to run my business.

Answer: The IBEW is not in the contracting business—you are. We provide manpower. We will do what we can to help in other areas, but only if you ask.

Question: What is the benefit of my company going union?

Answer:

Question: What happens if I get a project in another area?

Answer: You will need to sign an agreement in that jurisdiction. As an IBEW contractor you will have access to local workers saving money on travel costs.

Question: Will I still be able to fire a worker for cause?

Answer: Yes, it’s your company. You will always make the decision on who works for your company.

Question: Will I lose control of my company?

Answer: No. We work for you. And you will have greater control by spending less time on employee issues and more time developing and running your business.