Electrical Workers

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is both the oldest and the largest electrical union in the world. It was born out of concern for the dangerous conditions under which linemen and others worked while earning $8 a week. In some cases, one worker died for every two hired. After several false starts, the brotherhood began in St. Louis in 1890.

The event that inspired the formation of the union was the St. Louis exposition of 1890. The event focused on the newly popular electric light, and linemen and others from all over the country flocked to St. Louis to work in the exposition, lighting booths and creating electrical decorations. At night, they met to discuss the low wages, deplorable safety conditions and lack of training that characterized work in the electrical industry in those days.

Although membership in the IBEW has declined, as has happened in all unions, it remains strong, with around 750,000 members and 947 locals in the United States and Canada. Electrical work is much less dangerous than it was in the early days of the union, but it remains hazardous.  According to Electrical Contractor Magazine, 586 electrical workers died because of electrocution between 1992 and 2003 and not surprisingly, electrical workers suffered the highest number of electrocutions in the construction industry. Most of these deaths could have been avoided if proper safety equipment and precautions were available.

IBEW Locals in New York

The attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy advocate for the rights of injured New York IBEW members in the locals listed here.

For local union contact information, visit our Electrical Workers Local Unions page

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 3
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 25
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 589
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1049
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1212
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 106
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1143
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1189
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1249
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 139
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1430
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1573
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1631
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1690
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1799
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1813
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1833
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1922
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 2032
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 2084
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 2104
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 2154
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 2180
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 2199
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 2213
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 2230
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 236
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 237
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 2374
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 241
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 249
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 320
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 325
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 36
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 363
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 41
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 43
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 503
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 544
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 770
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 817
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 83
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 840
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 86
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 910
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 966
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 97

Contact Us if You Were Injured or a Family Member Was Killed on the Job

Electrical workers are also frequently injured or killed by falls, since much of their work is performed on ladders, lifts and hoists. Whether you are a union member injured in a fall or someone who lost a family member because of electrocution on the job, our law firm can help you learn about your rights and options. Call the New York City attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy at 212-736-5300 to schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation.