Joining IBEW Local 5 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 5) as a non-union electrician offers several significant potential advantages, generally centered around improving compensation, benefits, and career security.

Here is a list of key reasons a non-union electrician might want to join:

• Better Wages and Compensation: Union contracts often secure higher hourly wages for members compared to many non-union positions, which directly increases take-home pay.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Union membership typically includes excellent full-family health insurance, dental, and optical benefits, often starting on the first day of work.
• Retirement Security: IBEW members benefit from strong retirement plans, which usually include pension contributions and deferred compensation (401k-type) contributions.
• Job Security and Steady Employment: IBEW local unions have a vast network of signatory contractors that work on large, high-profile projects, which can lead to more consistent work opportunities and steady employment. The union often acts as an employment agency, matching members to available jobs.
• Superior Training and Skill Upgrades: The IBEW provides extensive, world-class training through the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), including paid apprenticeships and ongoing upgrade training for journeymen to stay current with new technologies and industry standards.
• Safety and Working Conditions: Safety is a top priority, and the union advocates for better workplace safety procedures and policies, ensuring electricians have the right to return home safely at the end of every shift.
• A Voice at Work: Becoming a union member provides a collective voice at work to bargain over wages, benefits, and working rights, ensuring fair treatment and respect as a professional.