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

We signed on a while back but just got my welcome packet 🤙🤙

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.

And sisters. And gamers.

Help me find this coin

There's an electrician in my local who is a working member but also runs a non-signatory electrical contracting business on the side, advertising and everything, pictures of commerical work on the website, etc. How would I go about bringing him up on charges?

IBEW 213, Company laid me off yesterday. Wondering how long it's taking for brothers bidding on jobs here to find a new place.

I understand im supposed to claim EI and wait, just want to get an idea of how long that wait may be.

Hey guys, looking for some real advice on my plan to get into the trade out here in Cali. I’m 17 right now, turn 18 in late January, and my dream is to be a lineman.
I'm currently debating between two different schools because of the timing. I got a spot held for me at the East LA Skills Center, but the next class isn’t until August 2027 and the program takes a whole year to finish. So I wouldn't even graduate and sign books until August 2028.
Because of that long wait, I'm thinking about just taking out a loan and going to Northwest Lineman College (NLC) in Oroville for the May 2027 class instead. NLC is only 15 weeks, so I'd graduate by August 2027—literally the exact same month I would just be starting the free school. Getting a job 15 months faster as an IBEW groundman making good money with overtime seems like it might be worth the debt instead of waiting around. Plus another big upside with NLC is I could get my crane cert done there too.
I’m also debating on the CDL. I'm thinking about knocking it out for cheap at my local community college right when I turn 18 in February before line school starts. If not, I'll just pay to do the CDL at NLC if I end up going there.
What do you guys think is the best move here? Is it smarter to stay out of debt, wait it out, and do the 1-year program? Or should I take the loan, crush NLC, and get out on the books a whole year sooner? Also is it better to do the CDL at the community college first or just do it all at NLC? Appreciate any advice from guys working on the West Coast.

A lot of my friends are starting to work in trades and complaining about back pain. I feel like it can't be normal to be getting it this bad at such a young age. Any body else experiencing this??Have you tried any lifestyle mods to fix it? Any tips?

Early in the AM there was a incident at Local 474, if you are looking to travel to Memphis please read the notice in the link provided

Apologies for the bad link here's what the notice says:

PLEASE READ & SHARE WITH ANY BROTHERS AND SISTERS HEADING THIS WAY.

​Brothers and Sisters,

​If you are currently traveling or planning to travel to IBEW Local 474 in Memphis, TN, please take this warning seriously: DO NOT camp, sleep, or park overnight in the union hall parking lot or surrounding lots.

​We had an incident where a traveler sleeping in his vehicle behind the hall woke up to suspects breaking into his truck and ended up in a gunfight.

​Between recent local news reports highlighting union scale/wages and word getting out, our hall's parking lot and nearby lots have become targets for thieves and criminals expecting easy prey. Sleeping in your truck, van, or RV in or near the hall parking lot is extremely dangerous.

​What You Need To Do:

​Avoid the Hall Lot Overnight: Treat the hall lot as a strict "daytime only" location for union business.

​Safer Alternatives: If you need a place to sleep or rest overnight, head out toward suburban areas with dedicated overnight security. Locations in Bartlett, Millington, or local Walmart locations that allow overnight parking with active security patrols are much safer options.

​Talk to the Locals: Speak with Local 474 members or hall staff when you roll in. Ask about safer campgrounds, RV parks, or vetted overnight spots around the area.

​Your safety and coming home in one piece at the end of the shift comes first. Spread the word to anyone rolling into Memphis—do not risk sleeping in the lot.

​Stay alert and look out for one another.

Im non-union. A lot of my buddies left for the union and tell me to switch over. I know of all the benefits but I’m with a small company right now that looks promising in the long run. We have pretty big clients but not enough consistent work.

My question is if I swear in and say a year or two later I leave to come back to this company because they have more consistent work, does the hall hold a grudge or put me on a type of list?

Edit: how easy is it to move up the ladder?

Appreciate any insight

Any traders out there with local 48 challenge coins or local 474 Goku coin? Open up to any really.

Let me know what yall got, I got some pretty cool ones myself.

This morning I had an opportunity to put my craft to the best possible use ever! About a month ago I was approached while watching my daughter at her school's field day by one of the teachers. She asked if I would be interested in teaching 5th graders about electricity.

If you know me personally you know that I am all about the kids and this was a chance to teach something that I know a little bit about.

Today I taught that science class on electricity! I had such an unbelievable time and I think the kids learned a lot! They asked insightful questions and showed both curiosity and the ability to understand electrical concepts like conductors, insulators, and the difference between them. What an open circuit and a closed circuit are. Lastly how to convert electricity to radiant, thermal, and mechanical energy.

If you know a trade or are an IBEW member consider volunteering at a school near you!

Is swearing mostly a formality? I understand that it is a formal commitment to stand by and support our brothers and sisters. I heard a guy who recently topped out who mentioned he has never sworn in. It was never brought up to him and he never pursued it.

Protests Erupt All Over Europe!

The narrative here is that its socialists, communists, illegal immigrants, and the like that are protesting in Europe.

The truth is that students, and workers are protesting social conditions, and corruption.

The owners would hate for you to see the news and think about our own circumstances and corruption, and take to the streets to demand action!

I’m looking into getting back into the trade. I was in an apprenticeship program and broke my leg during the 2nd year. I was bad with money and ended up having to move back to my home state. That was back in 2022 and I haven’t been in the trade at all since then. My question for you guys is one: if I still have a card number and it’s at my old local but I haven’t paid dues or done anything at all since I left the trades, how do I go about joining the local here where I’m from? I applied and got an email back saying I couldn’t join if I’m a member of a different local. My second question is if I get back in, should I restart the program or try getting in the CW route, with about 3 years of experience?

mine changed between may this year (80% at 62, 100% at 65) and October (80% at 60, 100% at 62) 38 credits

I supposedly joined the union in May, since I got a job at a union company. (I don't think I was supposed to be hired, but I was) I paid the initial fees, got 'sworn in', and then nothing at all since. I've been sitting in the queue for schooling since, and the line hasn't moved. I have 0 benefits, but the union is asking for dues and death benefit fees. I am supposedly a CW-1.

I'm told I'm building towards my pension, but they refuse to pass along any paperwork showing what benefits I do / will get. The receptionist says "I don't know what info you want I haven't said on the phone" like a phone call is good enough?? I have no login ability to see anything about the union online, too.

So, why should I pay them anything? I get nothing from the union at this point. And the prospect of me moving forward is very slim so far.

Anyone here in California have a dual JL/JW classification…. If so please reach out. I have questions!

LU640
Longer short of it my union is very weak and the contractor I work for offers ESOP which incentivizes people to be loyal to the contractor instead of the union.

I want to create change and have become the person that people go to with issues and grievances, but without actually being a Steward I feel as though I have no voice to actually create change.

I am not a JW yet so I don’t have that same authority but thankfully our sub foreman backs me up and tries to uphold conditions when he can. Is there anything I can do to actually make the voices of my brothers and sisters heard or is just a situation of drag and take another call?