I'm a low volt tech working out of a local in the Midwest. I'll be moving out of state in a few months, and as long as everything goes well, hope to get on the books of the local nearest where I'll be moving to as a traveler.

Work for low voltage in my area has been pretty consistent since I joined the IBEW a number of years ago, so I've never had a reason to travel before now. Is there any kind of etiquette with how much advance notice I should be trying to give? I just haven't spoken to anyone in my hall about it yet and wasn't certain how early would be too early.

If this would make a difference in timing, the local I'm moving near would be in the same district as my current local, and at most might have to acquire a couple of certifications I don't currently have.

Just received the email that i passed the aptitude test! I don’t know my results for the math and reading portion but what i do know is that the email said that i will have and interview in either march or april! Im excited!!

Thinking of taking the PLC level I & II courses but spots are taken up and the next available start time is in the fall.

Are those worth it or should I just pay to take the online part time PLC courses offered at George Brown College or Allan Bradley instead?

The job I'm on has me in the car for 3 hours a day. I want to know if there's a podcast to stay in the know on labor rulings or other IBEW news

I've never been a particularly good student, I struggled with pretty severe depression most of my high school years, so my GPA is shot. I've wanted to apply for IBEW when I graduated, but seeing how competitive it is, I've also been looking into applying for Job Corps and then maybe transferring in to IBEW. Is this a viable transition? Or should I focus all my efforts into IBEW?

I'm not concerned in the slightest about the political climate regarding unions because as much shit that we talk on jobsites to each other and other trades, there's no way in hell we'll accept bullshit

I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but this makes sense and explains what were seeing taking place.

Give it a watch and discuss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RpPTRcz1no

I’m thinking about trying to organize my workplace. We are meter reading subcontractors for a utility. I saw online that the IBEW seems to be the biggest union for utilities. Would y’all be a good fit? I live in a “right to work state”, which makes this more difficult. Also, I have no idea about what it takes to organize a workplace. I’ve never even been in a union before.

Exactly as the title says. I signed my papers, and paid my dues today. 1st year apprentice at local 177. I'm so honored and excited to be a part of something so much bigger than myself. I cant wait to see what the future holds!!

Title. Looking for ways to help the IBEW specifically.

I’m not currently in the union, but eventually I will be (moved up to New England from the south recently, and I had to start over pretty much). Planning on joining on day one of getting my license up here.

Currently working on organizing my community to petition and bother the piss out of our senators to not roll over to the bullshit. I’ve never been much of an organizer myself, but solidarity with labor unions and our communities is the best chance we have, and I want to do my part. 🫡

I recently saw a post that was talking about how a bill was introduced to repeal OSHA.

Holy shit and what the fuck. But I'm also not surprised at all because we literally elected Nazis and fascists.

I'm probably preaching to the choir when I say this, but at this point, all bets are off. Don't think they won't try crazier shit, because that's exactly what Chamberlain thought when this dude with a Charlie Chaplin moustache got into power.

We all know how that turned out.

I don't mean this to be a doomer post though.

I've been on Bernie's email list for several years, and one email from the other day made a very good point:

The Republicans only hold a three vote majority in the house, and that is a freaking razor thin margin.

People have been asking "what can we do about all of this?!", well, if you are in a district with a Republican representative, especially one who isn't a full on MAGA fascist, CALL THEM!

These people really do respond to calls, letters, and emails. If you protest, call them out! Don't just say "Fuck Trump!", but say "Hey Rep. Smith! Don't you dare vote for HB 392!"

The fascists want us to think we are powerless and the fact is we are not. Any law that gets passed, any presidential appointment has to go through the house, and all we have to do is to convince three representatives to vote against stuff.

It will not be easy, but that is a real tool that we all have

Edit: turns out there is a tool to automatically email all of your reps

https://resist.bot/

First off I’ve never done residential so my work is not fast. Things I can do confidently

• hand bend 1/2”-1 1/4”
• pulling branch 12AWG-6AWG
• pulling feeders with help(never done anything bigger than 2/0 I think)

-lighting trim and control -pulling few and making up cat5 female and male -using a shovel/pickaxe/walk behind trencher -running /bending pvc 3/4”-4” -pole bases -landing branch panels -pulling fire alarm -impeachable lift driving (Maybe other small things I’m excluding)

I’m not confident in/or have never -fire alarm devices -landing transformers and large switch gear -core drilling bigger than 3 “ -rigid bending(have done 3/4” and 1”) -large pulls -temp control -major trouble shooting -no industrial experience -no motor control work -no JLG or height work

Do you feel I have the basics just not much experience?

How does your local deal with members who are late paying monthly dues? Does anyone have extra fines or other penalties for being excessively or consistently late?

So i'm reading my local 640's pension documents. We have 51 dollar per credit. From what I understand that means even after working 30 years it'll be around 1500 dollars per month.

Are pensions supposed to be that low?

Asking because I better start putting more money in other investments if that's the case.

This entire room is mine. I like it but that’s just me. Did I do good?

I’ve been wanting to join the ibew for some time now. I’m fully green I’ve never worked construction before or have any electrical experience, I’ve done landscaping for a couple of months and I’ve worked as a lube tech for almost a year so I’m not new to using power tools and working with my hands. I was wondering if it’s worth it applying to local 46 without any experience in the industry I’m 20 about to be 21. Also is it easier to get into the limited energy program than the inside wire program for local 46 I just want to get in without waiting so long to start a career

I’m a fourth year apprentice. I want to buy a house when I turn out. But I’m wondering how do you guys afford a home when work is not booming? Or you been sitting at home for months?

Are you guys saving a lot of your money for the “rainy days”