Industry and IBEW News

So Called "Right to Work" Legislation in Connecticut

These days, much is written, and discussed, about the so called "Right to Work."  It is important to distinguish between the human Right to Work, as it pertains to basic human rights, and the latest  "Right to Work law" proposals in Connecticut. Organized electricians join the working men and women across America in fighting this attempt to artificially lower our wages by placing tradesmen who have organized at a distinct disadvantage. Background While right to work laws have not been passed in Connecticut, we have seen that the same anti-worker propaganda...

A Western CT Labor-Management Partnership

  How May We Help? As a Developer, General Contractor, Architect, or  Business owner located in or near Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, Torrington and Waterbury, your next industrial, commercial, institutional or residential project needs to be on time and under budget. Our contractors keep their sophisticated shops up to date with state-of-the-art equipment. We bring innovative and creativity to the design, manufacture, and installation of the most complex building  and energy systems across America. The training, education, and quality that is only provided by IBEW-Affiliated...

Responsible Contractors

Responsible Contractors Help Build Thriving Communities High road employers that pay living wages not only create the types of good jobs that communities need, but also have more stable workforces that deliver better services for the taxpayers and minimize the hidden public costs of low wages. (Sonn & Gebreselassie, National Employment Law Project).1   Introduction: What is responsible contractor language, and why is it important? Public construction projects are often costly undertakings. In recent years, municipalities and schools are increasingly using responsible contractor...

About IBEW 488 : The Western CT Electricians

Our Mission : IBEW Local 488, Bridgeport, received its charter April 1, 1913, with nineteen original members. With Sikorsky Aircraft, Remington Arms and Avco Lycoming in our jurisdiction we quickly grew to meet the defense needs of our nation. In 1969 we merged with Danbury Local 525, in 1981 with Waterbury Local 660 and again in 2009 with Norwalk Local 208 to increase our jurisdictional area to include most of northwestern and southwestern Connecticut. Please visit our jurisdiction map to view the cities and town serviced by Local 488. As technologies expand and industries transform, Local...

Our History

  Founded around the turn of the 20th century in 1891 as a part of the AFL, The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) emerged out of simply horrid working conditions for electrical workers. At the time of their founding, being an electrical worker meant making about $10 a week, low even for the era and a death/injury rate that was double other industrial jobs. At one point a staggering 1 out of 2 linemen and wiremen died on the job in certain cities. Thus the IBEW was largely founded to give these workers the working conditions that all Americans...