Electrical Workers Deserve Better
Your Skills Are Worth More Than The Carpenters Think
The Carpenters Union has been using electrical workers' skills to drive down wages and benefits for years. It's time to join the union built by electricians, for electricians.
Live · Loss Clock See what Carpenters Local 57 members have lost — ticking up every second lossclock.org →Get Help Now
Confidential. No employer notification. Ever.
- $21K–$34K
- More Per Year vs. Carpenters
- 850,000
- IBEW Members Nationwide
- 4,546+
- Signatory Contractors Nationwide
- 1891
- Founded — Over 130 Years
The Problem
The Carpenters Union Is Not Your Union
Electrical workers who end up under Carpenters jurisdiction are being short-changed on wages, pensions, healthcare, and representation — every single day.
Wages Driven Down
Total package gap (1,800 hrs/yr): Carpenters Local 57 A Card electricians earn ~$29,826 less per year than IBEW Local 1 journeymen doing the same work — B Card members (the typical case) lose ~$42,642 per year.
Inadequate Pension
Carpenters Local 57 New Entrants retire on one DB plan paying $3,850/month at 35 years, no COLA, with death benefits capped around $70K. IBEW members build retirement across three independent pension funds, anchored by a DC plan projecting $5,830/mo at the conservative 4% safe-withdrawal rate while preserving a $1.5M–$2M+ account balance that passes to the spouse in full.
Weaker Healthcare
The Carpenters cap employer health contributions below average work hours, putting coverage at risk during slow periods. Working spouses must take their own employer's coverage — making the Carpenters plan secondary and often costing money out of pocket.
You Pay for Tools
Carpenters members pay for their own power tools out of their paychecks. Under the IBEW contract, members supply hand tools only — power tools are purchased by the contractor.
IBEW vs. Carpenters — Side by Side
Every category. Every advantage. This is why electrical workers are making the switch.
Total Hourly Package
IBEW ✓
$88.23/hr (single JW rate, all members)
Carpenters
A Card: $71.66/hr B Card: $64.54/hr (typical) C Card: $58.94/hr
Annual Total Package (1,800 hrs)
IBEW ✓
$158,814 total package
Carpenters
A Card: $128,988 B Card: $116,172 (typical) C Card: $106,092
Annual Advantage
IBEW ✓
+$29,826 – $52,722 more
Carpenters
—
Pension (35-yr member)
IBEW ✓
Primary DC plan: $5,830/mo (4% safe-withdrawal rate) — spouse inherits full $1.5M–$2M+ balance intact + NEBF (DB): ~$1,225/mo for life · 75% spousal option + IBEW Pension Fund (DB): ~$175/mo for life · 50% spousal Full breakdown at /pension
Carpenters
Grandfathered: ~$3,885/mo COLA-default (3%/yr) OR ~$4,988/mo Level flat New Entrant: $3,850/mo single-life · no COLA · no Rule of 90 Death benefit capped ~$50K–$70K pre-retirement, $0 after MACRC merger 10/1/2026: NRA → 65
Healthcare
IBEW ✓
Family 90/10 · retiree coverage after 17.5 yrs
Carpenters
80/20 · working spouse must use own employer plan (Carpenters secondary) · caps at 143 hrs/mo
Power Tools
IBEW ✓
Contractor-supplied (negotiated) · members supply hand tools only
Carpenters
Member pays out of paycheck
Apprenticeship
IBEW ✓
JATC 5-year electrical program
Carpenters
General carpentry, limited electrical
Prevailing Wage
IBEW ✓
Actively enforced
Carpenters
Documented failure (Vande East audit)
Past-Service Credit
IBEW ✓
Up to 5 credits when contractor signs with IBEW
Carpenters
N/A
Working Assessment (Dues)
IBEW ✓
3% of gross wages
Carpenters
4% of gross wages — you pay more for less
| Category | IBEW | Carpenters |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hourly Package | $88.23/hr (single JW rate, all members) | A Card: $71.66/hr B Card: $64.54/hr (typical) C Card: $58.94/hr |
| Annual Total Package (1,800 hrs) | $158,814 total package | A Card: $128,988 B Card: $116,172 (typical) C Card: $106,092 |
| Annual Advantage | +$29,826 – $52,722 more | — |
| Pension (35-yr member) | Primary DC plan: $5,830/mo (4% safe-withdrawal rate) — spouse inherits full $1.5M–$2M+ balance intact + NEBF (DB): ~$1,225/mo for life · 75% spousal option + IBEW Pension Fund (DB): ~$175/mo for life · 50% spousal Full breakdown at /pension | Grandfathered: ~$3,885/mo COLA-default (3%/yr) OR ~$4,988/mo Level flat New Entrant: $3,850/mo single-life · no COLA · no Rule of 90 Death benefit capped ~$50K–$70K pre-retirement, $0 after MACRC merger 10/1/2026: NRA → 65 |
| Healthcare | Family 90/10 · retiree coverage after 17.5 yrs | 80/20 · working spouse must use own employer plan (Carpenters secondary) · caps at 143 hrs/mo |
| Power Tools | Contractor-supplied (negotiated) · members supply hand tools only | Member pays out of paycheck |
| Apprenticeship | JATC 5-year electrical program | General carpentry, limited electrical |
| Prevailing Wage | Actively enforced | Documented failure (Vande East audit) |
| Past-Service Credit | Up to 5 credits when contractor signs with IBEW | N/A |
| Working Assessment (Dues) | 3% of gross wages | 4% of gross wages — you pay more for less |
Total package = wage + all employer fringe contributions and wage-deducted items (Vacation, Holiday, etc.) per the published wage schedules: IBEW Local 1 effective May 31, 2026 ($88.23/hr) and Carpenters Local 57 / AEC of St. Louis effective August 1, 2025. Annual figures based on 1,800 hours.
Workers Who Made the Switch
Real electrical workers. Real results.
“I never broke six figures until I joined the IBEW. Same skills, same hard work — completely different future.”
“When I sat down and actually compared the pension numbers, I couldn't believe what we were leaving on the table. The IBEW wasn't just a better deal — it was the only deal that made sense.”
How to Join — 3 Simple Steps
The process is straightforward, confidential, and completely on your terms.
-
Contact Us
Fill out our secure form or call your local organizer. Your employer is never notified.
-
Meet an Organizer
An IBEW organizer will reach out confidentially to walk you through your options, rights, and next steps.
-
Join the IBEW
Sign your authorization card and take your career — and your future — back.
Your Privacy Is Protected
We understand the risks workers face when speaking out. Everything you share with us is strictly confidential. Your employer will never be notified. You may remain completely anonymous. You can opt out or request your data be deleted at any time.
Ready to Take Your Career Back?
Electrical workers across the country are choosing the IBEW — the only union built specifically for the electrical trade. Better pay. Better retirement. Better representation. The decision is yours.