IBEW Members enjoy many benefits beyond those of the non-represented worker. As union members, we bargain collectively with our employers over wages, benefits, and rights.

We have the best chance of receiving better wages, benefits and fair treatment in the workplace by bargaining collectively as a union. Most of us have very limited bargaining power as one person, but as a group, we are strong. And, with a good negotiated contract, we have legal protections we would not have otherwise.

Under the employment at will doctrine, the cornerstone of American employment law, in general terms, unless we belong to a protected group, our employer has the right to, with impunity,  discipline or terminate us for any reason -- even a bad one -- or for no reason at all. That's why it is sometimes called the fire at will doctrine.

With a collective bargaining agreement, we have rights. Management must have "just cause" for any disciplinary action taken against a union employee. "Just cause" is spelled out in our union contract so that we know exactly what is expected of us.

To get more facts and to review a comparison of Union vs. Non-Union, the IBEW International’s website includes facts, graphs, statistics and more.