Beatrice Lang
The energy industry has one of the highest rates of union membership in the country, with more than 90% of utility companies supported by a union workforce. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) are two of the largest unions in the energy industry. Union members work in a variety of jobs in the energy industry, from entry-level positions to complex and technical roles. Union electricians, for example, can receive higher salaries and more benefits, including guaranteed pensions and medical and dental coverage for their families. However, gaining admission to union apprenticeship programs can be challenging due to rigorous hiring expectations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of utility companies supported by a union workforce | More than 90% |
| Percentage of employees at electric companies who are union members | 20% |
| Unions with the most members in the energy industry | International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) |
| Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) | |
| Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) | |
| International Brotherhood of Boilermakers | |
| Service Employees International Union (SEIU) | |
| United Steel Workers (USW) | |
| United Association (UA) | |
| Benefits of union membership | Higher salaries |
| More job stability | |
| Benefits, including guaranteed pensions | |
| Medical and dental benefits for members and their families | |
| More challenging apprenticeship programs |
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What You'll Learn
Unions in the energy industry
The energy industry has some of the highest rates of union membership in the country. Over 90% of utility companies have union workers, and more than 20% of employees at electric companies are union members—the highest level of any industry in the private sector. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) are among the unions with the most members in the energy industry. Other unions with large representations include the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), United Steel Workers (USW), and the United Association (UA).
Union members in the energy industry work in a wide variety of jobs, from entry-level positions to complex and technical work. Many of the jobs are highly skilled, requiring scientific and engineering expertise. Union workers in the energy industry can receive higher salaries than non-union workers, as well as more job stability and benefits, including guaranteed pensions and medical and dental coverage for themselves and their families.
Labor unions negotiate with management on behalf of their members for all terms and conditions of employment, including wages, healthcare, retirement benefits, work rules, and working conditions. It is then up to the membership to vote on whether to accept what has been negotiated. One example of a successful labor-management relationship is Southern Company Gas in suburban Chicago, where the director of Labor Relations, Pat Loftus, described the relationship as a "collective advocacy" that helps achieve business goals and provides well-paying jobs with good benefits, ultimately strengthening communities.
In addition to advocating for better wages and working conditions, unions in the energy industry are also involved in initiatives to create a more just and inclusive power grid. This includes addressing the discriminatory beliefs inherent in the energy system that have disproportionately harmed Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and low-income communities. Unions also collaborate with management to help military veterans transition back to civilian life and find good jobs in the private sector. Programs such as the Utility Workers Military Assistance Program (UMAP), U.S. Military Veterans Electrical Entry Program (VEEP), and Troops to Energy Jobs are examples of joint labor-management initiatives in the energy industry.
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Benefits of union membership
Union membership in electrical utility companies comes with a range of benefits that can vary from improved job stability to better pay and benefits.
Firstly, union members often benefit from higher salaries than non-union workers. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, non-union members earned on average $892 per week, while union members earned $1,095 per week. This is because unions, such as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), negotiate with management on behalf of their members for all terms and conditions of employment, including wages, working conditions, and overtime.
Secondly, union members are provided with training on the latest technology, trends, tools, and safety methods, which can help them stay up-to-date with industry developments and ensure their safety in the workplace.
Thirdly, union membership often comes with guaranteed pensions, allowing members to retire and receive regular monthly payments. This is a particularly competitive benefit as many employers have phased out pensions. In addition to pensions, union members often have access to superior medical and dental benefits for themselves and their families, which can be harder to come by in non-union jobs.
Lastly, unions provide members with collective bargaining rights and support during economic downturns. For instance, if work slows down during the winter, the union may help members find work in a different city or state. Unions also have a long history of strong ties to certain industry sectors and communities, which can provide members with a sense of community and shared values.
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Non-union electricians
The energy industry has some of the highest rates of labour union participation in the country. Over 90% of utility companies have union workforces, and more than 20% of employees at electric companies are union members. Donnie Colston, director of the Utility Department for the IBEW, explains that labour unions negotiate with management on behalf of their members for all terms and conditions of employment, including wages, healthcare, retirement benefits, work rules, and working conditions. Union members then vote on whether to accept the negotiated terms.
Some electricians choose non-union positions because they offer better pay and benefits than union jobs in their area. Others prefer the familiarity of working in a small non-union shop, where they may have more opportunities for perks like housing or vehicles. However, union electricians often enjoy higher salaries, greater job stability, and better benefits, including guaranteed pensions. Gaining admission to union apprenticeship programs can be challenging due to rigorous hiring expectations.
Ultimately, the decision to join a union or seek non-union employment depends on various factors, including geographic location, available training opportunities, and personal career goals. Both union and non-union electricians contribute to the energy industry, and mutual respect between professionals in both paths is essential.
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Labor-management relationships
The energy industry has one of the highest rates of union participation, with more than 90% of utility companies supported by a union workforce. Over 20% of employees at electric companies are union members, the highest level for any industry in the private sector. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) are among the unions with the most members in the energy industry.
Union members work in a wide variety of jobs in the energy industry, from entry-level positions to complex and technical roles requiring high-level skills. Union electricians, for example, can receive higher salaries and have more job stability than non-union electricians, as well as benefits like guaranteed pensions and medical and dental coverage for themselves and their families. However, gaining admission to union apprenticeship programs can be challenging due to rigorous hiring expectations.
Non-union electricians, on the other hand, are typically employed by non-union shops, serve as independent contractors, or own non-union electrical businesses. They are often trained by trade schools or specific contracting companies and may have access to opportunities not available to union electricians. While non-union shops may offer retirement plans and medical benefits, these can vary from employer to employer, and union membership provides more stability in terms of benefits.
Good labor-management relationships are essential in the energy industry, and these relationships are built on open and clear two-way communication. Pat Loftus, director of Labor Relations at Southern Company Gas, calls this "collective advocacy," where both parties can achieve their business goals while sharing the same values. This includes providing well-paying jobs with good benefits, ultimately strengthening communities. Another area of joint focus for labor and management is helping military veterans transition back to civilian life and find good jobs in the private sector through programs like the Utility Workers Military Assistance Program (UMAP) and the U.S. Military Veterans Electrical Entry Program (VEEP).
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Energy workforce support
The energy industry has some of the highest union participation rates in the country, with more than 90% of utility companies supported by a union workforce. Unions in the energy industry include the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), and the United Steel Workers (USW), among others.
Unions negotiate with management on behalf of their members for terms and conditions of employment, including wages, healthcare, retirement benefits, work rules, and working conditions. Union members work in a wide variety of jobs in the energy industry, from entry-level positions to complex and technical work.
The Energy Workforce and Technology Council (EWTC) is the national trade association for the global energy technology and services sector, representing more than 650,000 U.S. workers. The EWTC supports energy companies and workers by providing tools, information, and representation to enable a low-carbon future. They also host networking events and an annual meeting where industry leaders come together to drive innovation and collaboration.
The Department of Energy (DOE) also plays a crucial role in supporting the energy workforce. The DOE aims to inspire a national strategy that prioritizes job creation, job quality, and job access. They provide financial assistance for workforce education and training initiatives and lead high-road sectoral workforce strategies that advance skills, productivity, job quality, and job access. The DOE also established the 21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board (EWAB), a federal advisory committee that provides recommendations on supporting the development of the energy workforce.
Additionally, the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) is a non-profit consortium of more than 140 energy companies, associations, unions, educational institutions, and government entities. The CEWD works to ensure a skilled and diverse workforce pipeline for the energy industry by partnering with educators to bring energy curriculum and awareness of energy careers to communities.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not all electrical utility companies are unionized. However, more than 90% of utility companies are supported by a union workforce, with over 20% of employees at electric companies being union members.
Some unions with strong representation in the energy industry include the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA).
Unions negotiate with management on behalf of their members for terms and conditions of employment, including wages, healthcare, retirement benefits, work rules, and working conditions. Union members often receive higher salaries, more job stability, and better benefits, such as guaranteed pensions and medical and dental coverage for their families.
There are two primary ways to become a member of a union. One way is to be employed at a company in a position covered by a labor contract. The other way is to gain admission to a union apprenticeship program, which can be challenging due to rigorous hiring expectations.
Yes, non-union electrical utility companies exist, and non-union electricians are typically employed by non-union shops, serve as independent contractors, or own non-union electrical businesses. An example of a non-union electrical utility company is Union Electric Company, LLC (UEC), which operates in Maryland, Virginia, and DC.
