Honouring our past by strengthening our future
The 10 men from five cities who met above Stolley's Dance Hall in St. Louis in 1891 had one objective: to make life better from themselves, their families and those around them. They and those who continued their work have made life better for themselves and for hundreds of thousands of workers like you.

If we want to continue to enjoy the benefits of Union representation, we must work toward increasing our numbers. A strong Union movement is one of the major factors in protecting our future. It enables us to negotiate for and win good wages, benefits and working conditions.

The IBEW is committed not only to preserving the gains fought for by our ancestors in the labour movement, but also to continually improving the quality of life for all workers.

We are rich in diversity!
We are from many cultural backgrounds and many ethnic groups!

We work in all branches of the electrical industry.

For further information visit the Canadian website through www.ibew.org.

In November 1891 the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers was established and within eight years the additions of locals in Canada prompted the change to International. Since that time we have achieved the following objectives:

• Organize all workers in the entire electrical industry in the United States and Canada, including those in public utilities and electrical manufacturing;
• Promote reasonable methods of work;
• Cultivate feelings of friendship among those in our industry;
• Settle all disputes between employers and employees by arbitration, if possible;
• Assist each other in sickness or distress;
• Secure employment;
• Reduce the hours of labour;
• Secure adequate pay for work;
• Seek a higher and higher standard of living; and
• Seek security for the individual by legal and proper means, to elevate the moral, intellectual and social conditions of our members.

Women played a vital role in the early years of the electrical Union. Many years before women could vote in the United States and Canada the first telephone operators local, Local 80 of Cleveland was formed. In 1897 Mary Honzik was the first woman to be elected to a delegation to attend the Annual Convention.