Paying dues is like paying premiums on an insurance policy – where you don’t have to die to have it pay off. You collect the benefits everyday of your working life. https://ibewyes.org/know-your-rights/ Unions are a voice When workers come together as one group, they give themselves a voice in the workplace—just like management has—through wages, benefits, and rules guaranteed by a collective agreement. Without a union and a contract, your rights on the job can be overlooked and your working conditions can be changed simply at the whim of management (reduced wages and lack of fair compensation for overtime.) Job Security Unions offer a wide range of opportunities and benefits to workers--at work, and in their personal lives. Increased work-life-balance leads to a better way of life. Safety  The IBEW was founded through tragedy. In the late 1800s, when public demand for electricity surged, electrical workers put their lives at risk daily and often died on the job. Workers came together, forming the IBEW to ensure that they could go home to their families at night by enacting training and revolutionary safety standards and procedures. Still today, the IBEW holds its Union Contractors to the highest standards and ensures that workers have the necessary training to work safely. Even with modern provincial regulations on construction sites today, the IBEW goes above and beyond in members' best interest. This holds true for emotional safety and access to mental health care, as well as leading Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) with the highest percentages of equity-deserving workers of anyone else in the industry. With zero tolerance for harassment or unprofessional behaviour of any sort, your local union stands with you, advocating for your rights and stays accountable to providing safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces.  Inclusivity Do not be fooled by the name. The IBEW is much more than a 'brotherhood', promoting gender equity and upholding rights of all workers. As such, the organization is committed to actions. The IBEW by constitution is inclusive and continually practices respect for and appreciation of differences with ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation and religion.     Solid Benefits Through the bargaining power of over thirteen-thousand members, the IBEW (in BC) enjoys 100% employer-paid health and welfare benefits that offer more than any other plan. Holiday and Stat pay, currently at 12% rather than the standard 8%, and an industry leading pension are a few more reasons to join the IBEW.  Accessible, High-Quality Training  Both on the job and off, union members have access to better training. The greater variety of union employment opportunities results in better trained professionals. Union members earn more because they are worth more. Staying at the leading edge of industry, IBEW members also have access to innovative, quality training at no additional cost. Industry is ever-changing and members access the best professional development opportunities to stay on top. For information on upgrade training available to members of locals 230, 993 & 1003 refer to www.wjets.ca Better Pay While the competition may offer slightly higher wages to new apprentices, they cannot compete with the IBEW total wage package (including benefits mentioned above). IBEW also ensures that overtime (at 1.5 or 2x as required per the Collective Agreement) is paid. Non-union contractors certainly do not offer the regular (5%) increases or 'term changes' that IBEW apprentices are scheduled to receive every 6-months as per the Collective Agreement. Or the 20% compounded increases to the IBEW’s Construction Wage increases set in place until 2026.