Famed American comedian Groucho Marx once said, “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.” Being a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1687 would certainly have changed his mind!
Chartered in 1951 in Sudbury, Ontario, IBEW Local 1687 represents 700 members across Northeastern Ontario that work in all aspects of the electrical industry. Membership in IBEW Local 1687 offers individuals a broad range of benefits, incentives, and advantages not often found in the electrical industry.
For starters, members of IBEW Local 1687 have access to a multi-employer defined benefit pension plan. This means that pension contributions are paid by the employer for every hour worked by the member. This allows the members to keep more of their wage in their pocket while their pension grows, so that they can one day retire with dignity. Members also receive extended health care benefits (prescription drugs, dental, vision, medical practitioners, and a health care spending account) for themselves and their families. IBEW Local 1687 currently extends health care benefits to their retired members at no additional cost, ensuring that they continue to receive the care that is needed once they are no longer working.
Wages are a major benefit for IBEW Local 1687 members as they are the highest paid in the electrical industry. A journeyperson electrician or powerline technician is going home with over $57.00 per hour before taxes. It’s important to note that pension and health & welfare contributions are paid for by the employer, so this is money in your pocket. Most members work 36 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, with double-time paid thereafter. This ensures that all members receive a long weekend, every weekend, and if they must work, they are compensated well for the overtime. There are also shift premiums paid if required to work afternoons or evenings.
Safety and job security are two core pillars of accountability offered to members of IBEW Local 1687. The union is aligned with ethical employers that value worker input and workplaces where safety concerns are openly addressed. The union is also a champion of workplaces that have zero tolerance for harassment or discrimination. If there are issues with management, the union provides a framework to remedy any conflicts. When it comes to stable and secure employment, IBEW Local 1687 offers members access to over 40 local employers, approximately 1,200 employers provincially, and many more nationally. Further, the ability for upward mobility within the organization is unprecedented. Whether you want to work on the tools, enter a supervisory role, become an estimator or project manager, or even own your own electrical contracting business, all these opportunities are at your fingertips. There is also the ability to transfer your membership from one area to another. You never know where life will take you, it’s important to have the ability to work for an IBEW contractor no matter where you are in Canada.
A good career is one that provides work/life balance and an opportunity to enjoy life outside the workplace. IBEW Local 1687 hosts a robust social calendar that provides members and their families opportunities to meet, mix and mingle. That includes annual Christmas parties, a hockey tournament, a baseball tournament, and golf tournaments. Group activities like camping, bowling, and fishing are also offered to interested members. To keep members informed and to provide transparent information, the Local hosts monthly union meetings in Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, and North Bay where members can voice their opinions and decide how the Local operates. As part of its corporate social responsibility strategies, IBEW Local 1687 also supports local community groups and charities through volunteering and donations.
Finally, and perhaps best of all, IBEW Local 1687 offers members training to help them advance their careers. Access to both in-house and outsourced training opportunities are available for both apprentices and journeypersons who are looking to gain more competencies and advance their careers. This training includes, but is not limited to, safety courses (working at heights, hoisting & rigging, etc.), equipment training (forklifts, aerial work platforms, etc.), and managerial training (supervision, electrical estimating, project management, etc.). For apprentices, there are additional electrical code resources to prepare them for writing their final exam, the ability to work for multiple employers across various industries, and a committee dedicated to supporting their development into skilled journeypersons (NOJAC).
If you are a licensed electrician, powerline technician, NCS technician, or a contractor that is interested in joining the IBEW, or someone interested in an apprenticeship, please contact their Market Development Representative; Yan Gervais at 249-779-9877 or yan@ibew1687.org.