Becoming an IBEW 380 Member
So you’ve worked in the construction industry, or for a non-union electrical contractor and you can’t seem to get ahead? Have you been promised further training or benefits that never seem to come to fruition? Is the health care you receive at a substantial cost to you or are you not receiving healthcare at all? And now you are wondering if there is something better out there for you and your family. The answer is a resounding YES! The education, benefits and career that the IBEW provides may be just the answer that you are looking for.
Local Union 380 offers a 5-year apprentice training program while concurrently getting on-the-job training with pay. As a member of Local 380 you will be working for higher wages and will have access to employment with the many contractors that are signatory to the IBEW. Upon completion of the training program, you will have the skills and contacts needed to work in any of the 50 states and Canada. Local Union 380 strictly adheres to OSHA guidelines, so you will be working under improved safety working conditions on the jobsite. OSHA courses are routinely offered as part of our continuing education classes which as a member you will have the option to attend. Continuing education allows you to sharpen your skills and enhance your knowledge making you an invaluable asset to a contractor.
Let’s look at how this helps you and your family. In addition to the higher wages and the education you get, from the moment you are accepted into the apprentice program and assigned to a jobsite, you will receive health care benefits. These benefits include Major Medical, a Dental Plan, Eyeglass Plan, and a Prescription Drug Plan. This is healthcare for you and your family that does not come out of your paycheck. That alone could convince you that the IBEW is for you, but we don’t stop there!
In this age when corporations are taking employee’s pensions away, Local 380 offers a superior pension plan along with a pension from the International Office and the National Electrical Benefit Fund. You will be providing for yourself and your family today but also ensuring security for your future! Additionally we carry life insurance for all of our members.
You will have an automatic savings plan in our Local 380 Credit Union for your own use. You will have total access to the Credit Union for checking, savings and various loan plans. As a member you will receive jury duty reimbursement of $150 per day that you serve. We also provide our members with a funeral leave reimbursement in the unfortunate event that it is needed.
Your children will be eligible to apply for our Local Union 380 Scholarship, currently a value of $1,300/year for 4 years totaling $5,200 toward their higher education. These are all financial benefits that you would enjoy if you were a member; but let’s look at Local 380’s commitment to our members families.
Local Union 380 is truly a “brotherhood” in every sense of the word. Every year, Local 380 hosts a wonderful Christmas party for the younger children of our members. There is food and ice cream, and the jolly fat man himself to give gifts to each child. It is a wonderful day and all the children leave delighted. Children find the same sort of delight at Easter when the J.A.T.C. hosts the annual Easter egg hunt. You will find that your children will look forward all year to these festivities. We cannot forget the older children (and truly the child in all of us), so Local Union 380 organizes a family picnic every year held at Mermaid Lake which allows for swimming and entertainment throughout the day in addition to all the food, ice cream, and drink that you could ever want! Many of our Local 380 families come to enjoy not just the food but the camaraderie of that day.
For the sports enthusiast, 380 organizes two (2) golf tournaments (in the spring and fall), as well as a golf league. We also have an annual Journeyman vs. Apprentice Softball game, complete with burgers, dogs and drinks! And let’s not forget the annual Fishing Trip out of Barnegat Light!
If your family needs a place to host a family reunion, birthday party, wedding, shower, etc., as a member you have the opportunity to rent Local 380’s meeting hall for a nominal fee (currently $350). The hall is rented to members only, has a full service kitchen and can comfortably hold 200 people. It is the perfect venue for that special event!
These added benefits don’t end when you retire either; you will have a free membership to the Retiree’s club with all the benefits that they offer, including trips, monthly luncheons and parties.
IBEW Local Union 380 does all of this for our members because we believe that “brotherhood” is not just a catchphrase; it is our attitude and our lifestyle. We don’t just say it, we LIVE IT!
So now that you have looked at the many benefits of becoming a member of Local 380; ask yourself, does your current employer offer a fraction of what you would enjoy as a Local 380 member?
If the answer is no and you want to know what to do next, we are here to help you.
If you are currently working in the electrical industry and want more information on joining the IBEW, please email Business Representative Fran Clark at fran@ibewlu380.com – or call 610-489-3800 Ext. 115, or Business Representative Lou Acampora at lou@ibewlu380.com - or call 610-489-3800 Ext. 105.
If you have no electrical experience but are interested in applying to the apprentice program, applications are accepted in person at our Apprentice Training Facility located at 4020 Cross Keys Road in Collegeville, PA from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily, or call 610-489-6399 for more information.
