IBEW 773 Windsor Standing Shoulder-to-Shoulder

By Matthew St. Amand Photos by Syx Langemann

In a sea of uncertainty, there are few beacons to guide job seekers along their way. For young people, particularly, just beginning to think about their futures, there have never been more choices for post-secondary education. It’s one thing to follow a dream, but it’s a universal certainty that, at some point, the future comes calling.

One of those beacons is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Windsor Local 773. Unlike many employers who expect young people to come through the door already fully formed, inexperience is not a strike against applicants at the IBEW 773. All that is required is a desire to learn, a willingness to look at options they may not have considered before.

No origin story is complete without twists and turns. The IBEW 773 came into being on November 28, 1891, as the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (NBEW). It was founded in St. Louis, Missouri, and represented 286 members employed in the electrical industry. The brotherhood’s stated purpose was to look out for the people doing one of the toughest jobs in the country. The union came to Canada on December 20, 1899, setting down roots in Ottawa. At its sixth convention in 1899, the name was changed to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

After more than 130 years, its core values remain the same: looking out for its members’ best interest.

So, how is the IBEW 773 a beacon to job seekers?

“We have people with masters degrees in bio chemistry, psychology, business degrees,” says IBEW 773 Business Manager, Karl Lovett. “People with all kinds of work experience. They have fields, elsewhere, but are not satisfied with the money they are earning or the challenges they face. They come to us for retraining. And once they’ve gone into the trades, some have come back and said to us: ‘Why didn’t I do this sooner?’”

He continues: “So, it only makes sense for young people who are looking to make their way into the workforce to come to the IBEW and do their apprenticeship.”

Applications for apprenticeships through the IBEW 773 are accepted each March.

“We accept resumes,” Karl says, “but they must be accompanied by a completed application.” They’ll need a copy of their grade twelve diploma and have proof they were successful in a senior level math course. We get more than two hundred fifty applications a year. Last year we accepted thirty-eight applicants for the apprenticeship program.”

Applicants are encouraged to begin the process in early March because the processing of candidates only takes place during that month. If a candidate’s paperwork is not in order, they will want to have as much time as possible to secure the proper documents.

Is there anything applicants can do to increase their chances of being accepted into the IBEW 773 apprenticeship program?

“If they can, I’d recommend candidates take any construction-related course available to them,” Karl advises. “It doesn’t have to be electrical, alone. Welding or mechanical courses show mechanical ability. It’s helpful if can- didates know what the tools are in advance.”

Licensed journeypersons can simply drop off their application at the IBEW 773.

The benefits of joining the union are many.

“The total package is great. Our pension is second to none, up to $10.17/ hour employer-driven contributions going into our pension,” says IBEW 773 field representative Joe Logan. “There are members who earn up to $71.71 an hour—journeyperson rate—with wage and benefits combined.”

IBEW 773 follows government-mandated rules, which dictate that firstyear apprentices earn forty percent of what a journeyperson earns. A second-year apprentice earns fifty percent. Third-year apprentice earns sixty percent, and a fourth-year apprentice earns eighty percent of a journey person’s wage.

More than wages, alone, the IBEW 773 looks out for members’ rights.

“It’s an unfortunate reality,” Joe continues, “but there are unscrupulous contractors who take advantage of workers. We negotiate collective agreements to ensure people are treated properly and paid what they are worth.”

The training workers receive at IBEW 773 is also second to none.

“Our people go through four years of mandatory night school where we train them for what they’re going to learn at trade school,” Karl explains. “And then they go to St. Clair College, for instance, to learn their trade.”

That’s right—the reason IBEW 773 members are so sought after and well-regarded is because they receive twice as much training as the government mandates: four years of IBEW 773 night school and then the government-certified school where they learn the trade.

“We want them to have that extra training,” Karl says.

Among other training the IBEW 773 offers: a communication course on telephone, fibre optic, internet lines, residential section, control wiring (electrical control, wiring through relays, control circuits, photo eyes, solenoids) courses about controlling electricity.

“We need hundreds of electricians at the NextStar Energy battery factory and at the new Gordie Howe International Bridge,” Karl says. “We also need them at the mega hospitals—approximately three hundred electricians for the duration of the hospital project. We’re looking for people for the future.”

That is where Joe Logan comes into the picture. As a field representative for IBEW 773, he oversees member recruitment.

“When we take in our apprentices in March,” Joe explains, “they go through a full week of training—construction-related—before working on a tool. That includes working at heights, workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), arc flash training, high voltage splicing, aerial platform, hoisting and rigging.”

He continues: “Anyone who comes in is looking for longevity in their career. I’m the membership recruitment/regional organizer. This is the last time you’ll ever have to fill out an application or submit a resume when you join IBEW 773.”

It’s an experience so many people have in this economy: when they receive notice they are being laid off from their job, it’s up to them to pound the pavement and find the next job. It doesn’t work like that for IBEW 773 members.

“With IBEW 773, you come back into the union hall and we send you out to the next contractor who needs a person with those skills,” Joe says. “We negotiate provincially. Conditions don’t change from employer to employer. Wages and pension package stay the same within Ontario. The Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario (ECAO) and IBEW negotiate collectively. We secure the fairest deal because we work as partners. It’s not a combative relationship. Our members work for the contractors, so the contractors are our partners.”

Not only do people apply at the IBEW 773 to do their apprenticeships, the IBEW 773’s door is always open to people who are interested in joining the union and/or seeking to unionize their workplace.

“When I meet with people, especially a new journeyperson who is not in the union, often they’re working for an electrical contractor with whom they did their whole apprenticeship,” Joe explains. “The electrical worker feels loyal to them, and many times they don’t realize they are being underpaid. Sometimes they feel under-appreciated, so they come to see me. I just offer them information about IBEW 773: about what they could be paid if they joined the union. Meetings with me are one hundred percent confidential. At the end of the day, they choose what they do with that information.” He adds: “I’ll meet with anyone any day of the week.”

The fact is, employees in Ontario and in Canada have the right to form a union. Employers are supposed to stand by, unbiased, neither encouraging nor discouraging. Many people don’t realize that’s how it’s supposed to work. And sometimes they’re right. Sometimes employees who are interested in unionizing a workplace suffer repercussions, they are disciplined or otherwise punished for their actions.

“And that’s illegal,” Joe says. “If an employee exercising their rights under the Labour Relations Act suffers repercussions, IBEW 773 covers the lawyers, and the lawyers handle the litigation.”

And when the IBEW 773 speaks, people listen. Recently Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre was in Karl’s office along with all of Windsor’s construction building trade leaders. The union was doing what it does: looking out for workers.

“We asked Pierre Poilievre, if he becomes Prime Minister of Canada, what is he going to do for Windsor? What is he going to do to support the unions and trades in this city?”

Not only does the IBEW 773 look after its members, it’s involved with initiatives that make our community stronger, such as wiring homes built by Habitat For Humanity.

“During the pandemic,” Karl says, “we partnered with Filip Rocca and Darcy King at Mezzo Ristorante & Lounge to feed our nurses and hospital staff. We did six thousand meals.”

The members and leadership of the IBEW 773 take the idea of “brotherhood” to heart. Safe, well-paid workers lead to strong, stable communities. We’re all in this together.

Karl Lovett is proud to be hosting our 105-year Anniversary of Local 773 Gala at Caesars Windsor on June 24th. W.E.

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