Structure

Local 46 observes the Constitution but also has its own organic set of local rules that guide the organization above and beyond the Constitution. These set of rules are called Local By-Laws. By-Laws are created, maintained, and amended by Local 46 members at Union meetings. Changes to By-Laws must be approved by the International Office and cannot contradict the Constitution.

Local 46 elect its own officers from rank and file members. Elections for Local 46 officers are held every 3 years. Members elect a Business Manager and Financial Secretary, President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, 5 Exam Board Members, and 5 Executive Board Members. Each unit also has the opportunity to elect its own officers among unit members.

The IBEW internationally represents approximately 750,000 electrical workers in every branch of the electrical industry. Since its founding in 1891, the IBEW has dedicated itself to the well-being of electrical workers and their families and the achievement of continued progress on their behalf.

But how do we accomplish this ambitious task? The simple answer is member involvement on a grassroots level. Our success is directly aligned with the hard work and dedication of our members. A few cannot do it alone and that is why we came together to form a Union in the first place.

Members can participate in their Union in several ways.

One way is to join a committee. There are several committees serving our membership including the Organizing Committee, Safety Committee, Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, Benevolence Fund Committee, Political Action Committee, and Picnic Planning Committee.

Members in the Inside Wire unit and Sound and Communications unit elect members to serve on their bargaining committee. Members in all other units interested in participating in the bargaining process should contact their unit’s business representative for more information.

Members can also serve as delegates to represent the Local on a variety of councils or at conferences and conventions. Member delegates are appointed by the local Union President. Local councils, for example, include: Washington State Labor Council, King County Labor Council, Snohomish County Labor Council, Washington State Building Trades Council, Women in the Trades, Jobs with Justice and Washington Fair Trade Coalition. These organizations connect Local 46 to the broader labor movement.

Misconceptions vs. Reality

The common conception is that dues are an added cost to your pocket book, but the fact is that Union workers have invested in collective bargaining to earn higher wages and better benefits.

On average, Union wages are 11% higher than unrepresented workers, and much of the time higher depending on the industry and job market.

A majority of our members receive medical coverage for all family members and are able to participate in various pension plans.

Construction members are “A” members and most other members fall under the “BA” membership. Depending upon whether you fall under “A” or “BA” membership. Your dues structure may vary.

Dues pay for grievance and bargaining representation, legal, administration, building costs, and various member activities.

Members set dues rates, help determine what organizations receive contributions, and are able to view and comment on the local’s budget at general and special membership meetings.

Union dues collection, budgeting, and spending are handled far differently than if you were paying a company for a service. The local Union’s funds are collected, overseen, spent, and invested by members and for members.

The majority of our membership qualifies for and participates in our self insured medical benefit program.

Benefits are paid out through the Puget Sound Electrical Workers Trust Fund. These benefits are managed by Welfare and Pension Administration Services and overseen by a committee made up of three labor and three management trustees.

As soon as you begin working, it should take approximately 3 months to qualify for coverage. Your employer pays into a dollar bank which grows as you continue to work. This dollar bank ensures that your coverage continues should you be out of work for a limited period of time.

To view details of your benefit plans online, simply fill out a form in the office to receive a website pin #. This will give you access to your specific coverage and plan details. You may also call (206) 441-4667 or (866) 314-4239 for benefit inquiries.

Not all members participate in the local health and welfare program. If you are a member working for a company who provides their own medical insurance to its employees, the Union has likely negotiated  terms regarding your participation in that coverage plan. Please see your collective bargaining agreement to learn more.

Here at Local 46 we are proud of our quality retirement benefits and we work hard to preserve and protect them. Lifetime health and welfare retiree coverage is available for those that qualify. Retiree coverage until age 65 is the same coverage, with some minor modifications, as active employer paid coverage. With onset of Medicare, a supplement for both medical and prescription is available at a reduced cost. For those that qualify, premiums for coverage between ages 62 and 65 are waived.

After 5 years vested, most members will be eligible for our pension plan under either the Puget Sound Electrical Workers Local Plan or the IBEW Pacific Coast Pension Plan. All construction units and some others will receive benefits, after 5 years vested, from the National Electrical Benefit Plan which is a nationwide IBEW pension plan. Additionally, members in construction units are instantly vested in an annuity retirement savings plan.

Retirement benefits are managed and administered by the same group that handles our PSEW Health and Welfare benefits. Information on these plans can be accessed online or via phone as described in the previous health and welfare portion of this video.

If your employer does not make contributions to the plans described here, please see your collective bargaining agreement for more information.

Electronic Reciprocal Transfer System, also called ERTS, is an important option for members who work, or may at some point work, in multiple jurisdictions. You will want to ensure that all of your benefits travel with you no matter what location you work. For example, if you work for a week, a month, or even a year in Tacoma, Everett, Bellingham, or even New York City, you want to ensure that the benefits you earn come back with you to your home local.

In order to make sure your benefits follow you, you will need to apply for ERTS by filling out this form at the Local 46 Union hall during regular office hours. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of this helpful resource.

Members have a variety of continuing education and training options available through both the Puget Sound Electrical JATC and Local 46.

CEU classes are free to members and associate members. They are held at the IBEW 46 Union Hall. For more information on classes offered, visit www.gpsew.org

 

It Pays to Get Involved

It is important that members participate in the political process as there are many decisions being made every day in our city, state, and nationwide that effect working people and their families.

We believe it’s our organization's responsibility to work toward protecting and improving wages and working conditions for all members and that is not limited to simply negotiating with Employers.

Union members have fought on a political front for benefits that many of us are able to appreciate today such as social security benefits, unemployment insurance, disability and maternity leave, and compensation when workers are hurt on the job.

We support republicans, democrats, independents, projects, initiatives, referendums, and overall policies that support workers and benefits members of IBEW Local 46.

There are many opportunities for you to get involved in our Union's political action. Join us for our yearly Lobby Day trip to Olympia, volunteer for a doorbelling event or phone banking at election time, show up to a labor rally, join our Political Action Committee, or think about running for a local political office. Please contact our political coordinator, Angela Marshall at angela@ibew46.com or (253) 395-6520 to learn more about how you can get involved.

What can you do to help make our Union strong and successful?

The answer is, a lot!

You can help workers to form Unions where they work. Talk to unrepresented workers about the benefits of being part of a Union, join the Organizing Committee, volunteer for an Organizing campaign. Talking to a staff organizer is a great first step to learn more. Contact information can be found at this link.

You can help to secure and maintain fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for you and your fellow brothers and sisters by participating in negotiations with signatory employers. Join a negotiating committee, attend unit meetings, ask questions of your unit's representative, communicate with your bargaining committee members and encourage support and solidarity from workers on your jobsite.

You can help members on and off the job. You can become a steward or volunteer as a mentor. Talk to your fellow Union members about the benefits of being a Union member...we could use a reminder sometimes too!

Get involved in issues affecting workers at the city, county, state, and federal level by participating in our Local's PAC activities.

Attend regular membership meetings. Mingle with your Union brothers and sisters at IBEW's annual picnic, run for an officer position within our Local, donate to our food bank, and don't forget to register to vote and remember to always vote at election time.

There are various ways that we communicate with each other. You may receive Union news through the Local's Sparks newsletter or from the International's Electrical Worker newsletter. You can also access news and special information on our website. We send regular and special updates to your home or cell phone via robo-dial. We send our special mailings when there's a motion for a By-Laws change or at election time. You may receive Union updates via email from your unit representatives. You may see flyers circulating on the job site, or you may hear about Union news by word of mouth from your fellow brothers and sisters.Either way, it is important that we communicate with each other and all of these tools help us to do so.
What makes a strong democratic Union?  Well, it doesn’t just happen. It requires member involvement. It requires that members take an active role. A union is strong when its members participate in activities and actions that promote and benefit our collective well being. Our democracy begins when members regularly attend membership meetings. This Local Union belongs to and is run by all of us.