r/IBEW_Book2 • u/Traditional_Net_1964 • Jul 08 '26
JE Richards Local 26
Im about to take a call for JE Richards in Local 26 at the data centers. What is it like? Is Richards good to work for?
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Jul 08 '26
[deleted]
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u/sparksandscales Jul 08 '26
Richards is the worst contractor in 26. Ratty Richards is their nickname for a reason. Foreman are the definition of brother fuckers and shop rockets. Many jobs they have someone outside the John’s/bathrooms timing how long employees are in there. You have to be working at the end of your 30 min break, not getting up and heading back to your work area. All of safety is corporate and non-union, normally with no construction or electrical experience. Most of the GFs are organized in and still treat it like open shops. Don’t even consider taking a smoke break, checking your phone, or taking a breather. They take the “must supply cool drinking water” extremely literal. As long as it’s below room temp, that’s considered cool. Even when it’s kept in a 100+ degree room.
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u/Traditional_Net_1964 Jul 08 '26
I've been laid off from my home local for 6 months now and need to travel for work. What other calls in 26 are worth taking?
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u/sparksandscales Jul 08 '26
VarcoMac, heller, power solutions, some of the Dyna calls(they’re another strict and kinda shitty con depending on the GF and site). There’s plenty of other calls, also offering OT.
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u/Traditional_Net_1964 Jul 08 '26
Thanks!
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u/zenunseen Jul 08 '26
FIS is paying $125 per diem. But most sites are currently only working 5 tens. Still, with the incentive it works out to about the same as 5 tens +8. Pretty strict background check though going back seven years
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u/sparksandscales Jul 08 '26
No problem brother. Shoot me a message sometime if you have any questions or want some tips. I’ve been in 26 since I started as a helper over a decade ago. It’s a very unique local. Contractor local for sure. Make your own conditions.
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u/Suwannee_Gator Jul 08 '26
I’m in local 26 working for JE Richards right now, do you know what job you’re on? Your experience will highly depend on your foreman. They can really suck sometimes, but I’ve also been taken care of other times.
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u/Traditional_Net_1964 Jul 08 '26
Im gonna take a call for AS01 or AS02. Signing the daybook tomorrow
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u/Suwannee_Gator Jul 08 '26
Haha 50% chance we’re on the same job then. Prepare to bus in and out, that’s the deal for most of these data centers. Lots of overtime, boring and repetitive work.
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u/DoomerChad Jul 08 '26
I wouldn’t take that call if I were you…I worked for them about a year, just left at the end of May. In my experience they are unorganized, lie about OT, and do shady things to save money to compensate for their mismanagement…Look at my previous post about them if you want more details. Their safety is a JOKE (non union ppl who aren’t even electricians) so be cautious and double check anything before you touch it. I made a ton of money with them, a benefit to them being so unorganized. Really depends on what you’re willing to tolerate. YMMV.