Why Hire Union?

Some people like to put down unions and union workers. They don’t know or explore what “union” really means.

When it comes to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), “union” means well-trained, committed, productive, professional electricians and communication professionals.

We are so proficient and excellent at what we do that our union workers and contractors often perform work for less than non-union electrical contractors. What else would you expect from someone who cares enough about his or her profession to complete nearly 1,000 hours of classroom training and five years of supervised on-the-job training?

Why it Pays to Hire Union

Behind the walls, above the ceilings and in the floors, electrical and data wiring run unseen and unnoticed – unless there is a problem. Electrical and data construction need to be done right – the first time – because fixing problems behind walls and above ceilings can be more expensive than initial installation costs.

When you hire electrical and data contractors employing IBEW members, we stand behind our work. You get:

• Fully trained professional craft workers on your project
• Skilled project management
• Reliable parts and materials
• Fully insured, licensed and financially stable contractors
• No shortcuts that could risk safety, system reliability and productivity in your home or workplace
• Work completed right the first time or it’s fixed for free.
  

Training and Education

We operate the Midwest's largest resource for training electricians and communication technicians – teaching more than 1,200 IBEW apprentices and journeymen each year. Electrical Connection contractors fund a nationally-recognized, award-winning training program at the St. Louis Electrical Industry Training Center. It is Missouri's accredited electrical training source for certified courses in the instrumentation and process controls that are vital to the safe and effective operation of plants, labs, healthcare facilities and commercial buildings requiring technologically-advanced systems. Tours are available by appointment.

Qualifications

The St. Louis Electrical Industry Training Center provides comprehensive training programs to prepare college and high school graduates for careers as commercial-industrial electricians, residential electricians and communication technicians. When you hire a member of the Electrical Connection, you benefit directly from a training tradition and discipline that dates to 1947. Electrical Connection members make an education investment exceeding $2 million per year. Program rigor far exceeds any non-IBEW training program. The St. Louis union electrical construction industry provides highly knowledgeable, reliable and productive electricians and communication techs to every customer. Even after graduating from the five-year apprenticeship, IBEW members show their commitment to customers by participating in ongoing training programs on their own time to enhance their total skills and value.

Value Versus Cost

If you were having surgery, would you select a doctor with five years of school and supervised on-the-job experience, or one who had taken a few courses and could talk a good line? That’s the difference between trained union electrical workers and non-IBEW electrical workers. It’s what you don’t know that can hurt you or worse. What is the value of peace of mind from the security of knowing your work is done well, with your safety and reliability of service foremost in mind? We think it’s priceless but its cost is highly competitive. Choose the industry leaders -- the top professionals. You’re worth it!