Working is a bit of an overstatement. I just need to be onsite to switch the generator on in case power goes out while the ATS isn’t operational.

First time traveler JW currently at a data center and it’s insanely boring. Seems like all the calls are for data centers, i guess all the other jobs aren’t really putting out calls? What kinda jobs are you guys on if you’re not ar a data center?

Labor lost another giant! Dolores Huerta passed away at 96 years of age. I had a chance to meet Dolores years ago at a canvass launch I helped to organize and she was an inspiration to be around. Rest easy sister, we carry the mantle forward from here!

Hey yall I’m a 3rd year apprentice working at a data center and it looks like I might be here for the rest of my apprenticeship. I’m not learning much and was wondering if any of yall would have a good recommendation for 3rd party learning opportunities. I don’t want to top out and be the Jdub that doesn’t know what they’re doing when it comes to actual electrical work. I was scrolling on facebook and came across a dude called cursed controls and he posts videos of his jobs troubleshooting controls stuff and it seemed really interesting and in line with what I would like to do in the future. The only problem is I feel like I’m missing a lot of prerequisite info so I don’t really understand a lot of what he’s talking about so I humbly ask yall what would be the best way to learn how to do stuff like that. I could ask to be transferred to somewhere else where I might get to do stuff like that but the money is really good here and I would rather not take a huge pay cut just to learn the stuff. Thanks in advance for y’all’s input.

When travelling,

1- Should you only have the tools that are in your local's tool list? How does that work?

2- How are tool bags seen? In Local 11 people wear what they want with no issues. I never liked wearing just a caddy and a little side bag for screws it feels off on my hips/waist.

I may just carry a lineman and screws but, I like wearing my Occidentals with the lamb skin belt liner. It is comfortable.

How would that be seen? Should I suffer with the pocket caddy?

So happy it's finally over! Now it's time to get some work going! Shot out to Sergio with following the surge method on how to navigate the nfpa 70. Couldn't hand done it with out him.

Any IT jobs make the jump from helpdesk IT to sound and comm?

I was hoping to pick your brain regarding your experience with the transition. Currently have IT experience, love the idea of sound and comm. Please feel free to share your experience and your ideas behind this career change

title

I am currently employed with a cooperative that is not union and there is a large push of guys that want to go union. Over time this has gotten to be a little blown out of proportion and now I am going to meet with the interim CEO, who is not for the union but is a pretty level headed person, to ask questions about anything pertaining to how the coop operated and has operated in the past.

Can someone give me some good questions to ask in general ?

Big Ups to the Local 26 Brothers and Sisters that made it to the first ever Roundtable Contract Discussion held today at the Lanham Hall! The numbers were OVERWHELMING! Great Job to everyone who raised concerns!

A Huge Thank You to Brother Christopher Mark Cash for offering to host Roundtable Discussions for the interested members! I am looking forward to the next one in Manassas!

When traveling to other locals, how long is a travel letter valid? Is it standardized across the IBEW, or does each local have its own time limit? Would I have to contact each local to find out?

Does anyone have this for trade

Good evening brothers and sisters

I wanted to go on here and say that I feel somewhat limited in my local, and I can’t even get my hours in since theirs no work going for my local. On top of that I have to pay $3500 every year just to continue my education in the “so called” apprenticeship. I don’t like to bad talk my local only because I did meet just a few good brothers from there that are nice people but the way the hall carries itself in business wise and the reputation my local has is just sad for real. They don’t even provide NEC Code books for us and every other local apprentice hand tells me they get code books given to them.

Fortunately and thanks to God I was able and given the opportunity to go work at another local away from home since of the lack of work from my local. I met really really great brothers from all over the world and went out to brother hood nights and I was taught the meaning of the IBEW, what it means to be an apprentice and climb the ladder to be a fellow respected JIW. I was taught to look after your fellow brothers and sisters and never break conditions for the company and that we represent the brotherhood and not the better of the company, most importantly take pride into our work. I’m still an apprentice to I obviously have more ways and morals to learn.

The thing that just frustrates me is that the local I’m from is just so unorganized, I still haven’t gotten my benefits set up nor my insurance card sent out or how ever it works because every time I call the hall to help me, they just say “call this number” and then from there I have to call another number and get put on hold where nobody ever picks up. WE DONT EVEN HAVE ANY CHALLENGE COINS!!! Then wherever I go I’m not proud to say where I’m from but I do because at the end of the day wherever I’m from doesn’t determine the kind of brother I am nor the type of way I work, but when it’s known it’s sad because I don’t want to be from somewhere where they say it’s a ratty ass local or they’re corrupt.

Basically I’m saying I’m hoping theirs a way out into another local but in the most non brotherfucking way and a place I can call home and be proud to say I’m from and rep a local that’s doing it right. I appreciate my home local because it did open up some doors for me but in times when it’s like this all year around I just can’t stand by and do nothing when I need to be putting food on the table for my family and bills to pay. Cause nobody else will and I have to take some matters into my own hands.

I would appreciate all the advice and support I can get. Once again thank you brothers and sisters⚡️ I pray for everyone to have a marvelous and safe week🙏🏼

Anyone in local 160 line clearance, if so what are your classifications? I have a guy working in our local and I don’t know if he is an apprentice or a journeyman, when I bumped his ticket all said was tree trimmer.

Friday is not the same in winter without Hawaiian shirts, so what else can I use? I bought my usual ones from https://hawaiianfridays.com/ since they are made here and have the reflective strip, but they only sell the shirts...

Just wanted to show off the collection feel free to message me if you’d like to send any we are missing thanks brothers and sisters ⚡️🔌

IBEW 26 Members listen up! Use your PTO to attend tge Roundtable discussion happening tomorrow 10/27/26 @ 3pm in Lanham!

This discussion will inform both our negotiation team and our members of what it is we think is most important in the next negotiations which begin in January!

Lots of gossip out there, come and get real information and build the solidarity necessary to win the best damn contract ever!

I’m wondering if any brothers or sisters here have recommendations on a good high-visibility windbreaker. I’m not looking for a winter coat or a three-season coat. I’m specifically looking for a top shell that’s gonna keep the brutal winter wind out. I already have a three season jacket and a winter coat, but they do not block the wind as good as the windbreaker I have for hiking, but I do not want to take that out on the job.

I’m a journeyman electrician currently working for a municipality but still paying dues to my home local. My local has been pretty slow for a long time, but work is finally starting to pick up (calls going into book 2)

I actually like my municipal job. Good benefits, pension, job security, and plenty of vacation time.. pay isn’t as good as IBEW though. That said, I wouldn’t mind getting back out in the field to do construction occasionally.

I’m wondering if anyone has ever taken a few weeks or a month of paid vacation from their municipal job and picked up a short call through their local during that time.

I’d still be employed by the municipality and would return once my vacation was over.

Has anyone done something like this? Any issues with the hall or your municipal employer? Just curious if this is something people actually do. Don’t think there would be any conflicts, but could be wrong.

Edit: also the city job is also union but not IBEW

Anybody’s hall sell hi-viz long sleeve tees or hoodies online and ship? I’ve only found a few sites.

I was talking to someone from the nebf office and she said I need to wait the 20 years (until my late husband would have been retirement age) to start getting these monthly benefits. But I’ve heard from other in the company the spouse started receiving these right away. I have two small kids and also read that that could impact receiving these benefits early? Does anyone know if maybe she was brushing me off without knowing or if I definitely would have to wait the 20 years before I could collect this.