Membership in the IBEW, like membership in any other organization, comes with the obligation to pay periodic dues. The monthly dues payment, currently $57/month (2020), is divided into two parts. The first is the International per capita (currently $39 – $20 for Operations and $19 for the Pension Benefit fund) which is set by and remitted to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the IBEW. The second is the Local’s portion which is retained by Local 353 (currently $18 – $13 for Operations and $5 for the Building fund). The Local union dues are set by a vote of the membership. The Local dues help pay for the costs of representing workers’ interests and collective bargaining. Union dues used for operations are 100% Tax deductible.
It pays to belong
Statistics show that union members earn an average of 54 percent more than nonunion electricians in Toronto. That means, union members receive a 50 fold return on their union dues investment, even before they take advantage of any other helpful union services.
Value
Your dues cover costs associated with contract bargaining, workplace representation, conflict resolution, use of the union’s legal services and professional staff.
No hidden costs
Members set the rate for the Local union dues. The IBEW’s financial statements and approved budgets are a matter of public record for members. What you see is what you get.
Equal services
All IBEW members are entitled to the same high level of service. The size of your workplace doesn’t matter. No matter how big or how small the issue, you will always get the support you need.
Nonunion dues: $4,000 per month?
It’s true, there is such a thing. On average a nonunion electrician earns $25/hour less than a union electrician.
$25/hour X 40 hours/week = $1,000 per week
$1,000 per week X 50 weeks = $50,000 a year
In effect you’re paying $50,000 a year to be nonunion. Bet your boss never explained that to you!