About IBEW

Union Training
Apprenticeship Program
Complex Systems
IBEW 9th District Locals

The International Brotherhood of Electrical workers represents almost 750,000 union members in the U.S. and Canada in a variety of industries, including construction, government, manufacturing, railroad, telecommunications & broadcasting, and utilities. Founded in 1891, the IBEW is one of the oldest, largest, and most respected unions in the world.

Within the electrical industry, IBEW members are designated as inside wireman, outside lineman, or Sound and Communications workers. The Sound and Communications agreement in place in the 9th District of Northern California & Northern Nevada is negotiated every two years between signatory contractors of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical workers who specialize in the communications area. There are over 1,660 Sound and Communications workers divided among seven IBEW locals (See Directory of Locals).

Union Training–There’s no Equivalent

IBEW Sound and Communications workers complete an extensive three-year apprentice program, with classroom studies and on-the-job training. These expert technicians are trained through the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), which is jointly administered by labor (IBEW) and management (NECA). Over 500 apprentices in the 9th District are enrolled in this three-year program. Apprentices attend classes 2 nights a week for three hours a night, and complete 150 years of classroom training each year, and 2,000 hours of on-the-job-training.
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Sound and Communications Apprenticeship Program

When workers go through the local apprentice level training program, they accrue 450 hours of classroom time over the three-year period. This training includes BICSi apprentice certifications. In addition, workers spend 4800 hours in the field over the three-year period working under trained supervision. If they meet these requirements, workers reach the installer level.

In Northern California, 60 cents per man-hour in training is distributed to the local JATCs for training. In 1999, IBEW and the signatory contractors in Northern California spent $805,000 in training.
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Complex Systems

The complexity of systems contracting is increasing dramatically as contractors expand into new technologies. The training of workers is everything, as contractors wire intricate co-location facilities, cutting edge AV projects, and computer controlled state of the art security systems. Only well-trained union workers can keep up with the growth and the complexity now taking place around us. A well-trained workforce is more likely to get a complex job done right the first time. Being union is the arrangement that produces the most experienced, skilled, safe, and flexible workers for the job site.

At the leading edge of technology, IBEW members are trained to install and service complex communications and data technology. And NECA contractors are able to offer their customers the best trained, most skilled, and professional workforce.
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9th District IBEW locals:

John J. O'Rourke
Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 6
55 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: (415) 861-5752
Fax: (415) 861-0734
Email: ibew6@ibew6.com
Web site: www.ibew6.org

Gregg L. Jordan
Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 100
1921 N. Gateway Blvd. Ste. 102
Fresno, CA 93727
Phone: (559) 251-8241
Fax: (559) 251-0543
Email: info@ibew100.org

Bruce Gourley
Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 180
720-B Technology Way
Napa, CA 94558
Phone (707) 251-9180
Fax (707) 251-8040
Email: bruceg@ibewlu180.org
Web site: Ibewlu180.org

Bernie Wall
Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 234
10300 Merritt St.
Castroville, CA 95012
Phone: (831) 633-2311
Fax: (831) 633-0570
Email: bernie@ibew234.org
Web site: www.Ibew234.org

Michael Yarbrough
Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 302
1875 Arnold Drive
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: (925) 228-2302
Fax: (925) 228-0764
Email:post@ibewLu302.com
Website: www.ibewlu302.com

Robert Tragni
Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 332
2125 Canoas Garden Ave, Suite 100
San Jose, CA  95125
Phone: (408) 269-4332
Fax: (408) 979-5500
Email: btragni@ibew332.org
Web site: www.ibew332.org

A. C. Steelman
Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 340
2840 El Centro Road, Suite 115
Sacramento, CA 95833
Phone: (916) 927-4239
Fax: (916) 927-1074
Email: info@ibewlocal340.org
Web site: www.ibewlocal340.org

Jack Buckhorn
Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 551
2525 Cleveland Ave., Suite B
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 542-3505
Fax: (707) 542-9134
Email: jackb@ibewlocal551.org
Web site: www.ibewlocal551.org

Victor K. Uno
Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 595
6250 Village Parkway
Dublin, CA 94568
Phone: (925) 556-0595
Fax: (925) 556-0600
Email: general@ibew595.org
Web site: www.ibew595.org

Mike Meals
Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 617
1701 Leslie St.
San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone: (650) 574-4239
Fax: (650) 574-1408
Web site: www.Ibew617.com

Scott Ziegler
Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 684
519 12th St.
Modesto, CA 95354
Phone: (209) 524-5171
Fax: (209) 521-9664

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