The provisions contained on this disk meet or exceed the regulations established under various labor laws. They also adhere to the IBEW Constitution, which is made a part of all bylaws, as well as established policies of the Brotherhood while allowing for maximum flexibility in the operation of our local unions.

Please refrain from repeating provisions from the IBEW Constitution when developing your bylaws or future amendments. Since the constitution is made a part of all bylaws, the duplication of its terms serves no useful purpose.

When adding sections to local union bylaws, the future effect of those additional sections should be carefully evaluated.  Once a section is inserted into a local union's bylaws, it cannot be deleted without enacting an amendment to the bylaws - a process that may prove difficult.

Restraint should be exercised when adding any provision to the bylaws.  The changes may appear to be necessary today but may prove to be a disservice to the local union in the future.

The Pattern Bylaws is color-coded for ease of use.  Material printed in red contains standard bylaws provisions that are required in all local union bylaws.  Red material must be included in the bylaws verbatim, and the local union should add information only in the blank spaces.  For example, Article II, Section 1 is required, but the local union should fill in the blank with "once" or "twice," as the local decides. For your convenience the Pattern Bylaws is included in PDF format as well as in Microsoft Word.  Click the link at the top of each page to download.

Material printed in blue consists of conditionally required and alternative standard bylaws provisions, which must be included in the bylaws verbatim, but the local union should fill in the blank spaces.  This allows the local unions to select language compatible with their jurisdiction (e.g., construction, manufacturing, utility, etc.) or their methods of operation.

Conditionally required language is a result of the local union's method of operations and jurisdiction.  For example, Article III, Section 9(f), Pattern "A" is to be used only by those local unions that have a bona fide apprentice program.  Alternative standard bylaws provisions are required, but the local union must choose between alternatives.  For example, Article III provides two patterns.  Pattern "A" depicts voting at the polls with provisions for absentee ballots.  Pattern "B" is the necessary language for an all-mail ballot election.  These are the only two methods currently approvable for conducting elections, and the local union must choose one of them.  That is, unless the local has fully implemented the unit concept.  Then, the local will choose Article III Substitution language.

Black text identifies optional language, substitute language, and examples throughout the Pattern Bylaws.  Optional bylaws are not required in local union bylaws.  As an example, local unions should not utilize Article V covering the Examining Board unless they have implemented the examining board option.  Similarly, Article XIII in this pattern should not be included where local unions have not established units.  If a local union chooses to use the optional language, it must be used verbatim with the local union completing only the blank spaces.

The substitute pattern bylaw provisions for units (Substitution articles, Article II, Article III, and Article XVI) are intended for use when the local union desires to fully implement the unit concept.  When substitute language is used, it must be used verbatim.

The local union must adhere to the language in the standard Pattern Bylaws as closely as possible in order to provide continuity and standardization in all IBEW local union bylaws.  Articles and sections that do not apply to a particular local union must be deleted, and the remaining articles should be renumbered.  When reviewing the Pattern Bylaws, check the right margin for comments and explanations provided for your convenience.