A Message from JIBEI Chairman, Dr. Gerald Finkel
It is with great pride that the Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry celebrates 75 years of service to the New York City unionized electrical industry. The Board is charged with maintaining harmonious labor relations between Local Union No. 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and its affiliated employers and as such, acts as both a third party administrator and a homegrown advocacy group for industry affairs. Composed of an equal number of Employer and Union representatives, the Joint Industry Board (JIB) stands as a testament to the power and success of the collective bargaining system.
This unique organization is an unparalleled model of labor management cooperation, which remains largely unreplicated. Our organization grew out of the noble efforts of the Union and the Employers to create a fair distribution of the limited work opportunity during the tumultuous days of the Great Depression.
Local 3, IBEW led by Harry Van Arsdale Jr., met with a small group of progressive and enlightened employers that included Harry Fischbach of Fischbach & Moore and A. Lincoln Bush of Belmont Electric, to form a Joint Employment Committee in 1939. This would eventually be transformed into the present day JIB, which has been ably directed, over the last decade by Christopher Erikson, Business Manager of Local 3 and his Employer counterparts.
Today, the JIB is responsible for over $13 billion in assets. This includes health care for 75,000 covered middle class lives, work assignments for 11,000 highly skilled construction electricians, training for 1,100 apprentices and the administration of 15 ERISA plans. For example, last year our Educational and Cultural Trust Fund expended $14 million in educational, cultural and training benefits on behalf of qualified participants. It awards $1.35 million in merit based scholarships to union members’ children on an annual basis, while running various programs geared towards the cultural enrichment of workers. In 2001, Dr. Gregory Olsen graciously funded 5 additional scholarships in honor of his father, a Local 3 union member, Sigurd B. Olsen.
As we move firmly into the 21st century, we remain cognizant of the dynamic changes that have spurred both growth and apprehension for employer and employee alike. During the past three-quarters of a century, the modern electrical industry has witnessed some of the greatest advancements in electrical technology since Edison, Westinghouse and Tesla vied for pre-eminence in the New York market.
The reasoned approach of jointly managed programs and funds has kept us in the forefront of technological innovation in all facets of New York City’s electrical industry. With a new state of the art training center in Long Island City, bargaining agreements that account for the advent of prefabrication and a commitment to excellence on all projects, the Unionized electrical construction industry is prepared for the challenges of the new-age construction market.
Without question, Local 3 IBEW electrical workers, NECA-NY and other affiliated employers have been responsible for nearly all of the iconic structures that help make New York City’s ‘Skyline’ one of the world’s most visible images. Yet, behind the pipe, wire and electrical fixtures lies a most interesting process from which many other industries and companies could benefit.
Since 1943, labor and management have consistently collaborated and compromised for the benefit of the City’s electrical industry, as well as the general public.
To that end, Mr. John Liu, former New York City Comptroller, serves as our public member. While we are not immune to either the economic fluctuations or the social tensions that affect all industries, our structure gives us the ability to respond to the needs of Employers, Union Officials and the Local 3 membership.
Indeed, the monthly meetings and shared responsibilities of Employer and Union representatives have led to an unprecedented sharing of the wealth produced by our ever increasing productivity. Profitable firms, decent standards of living for Union members and successful project completions are our hallmarks.
Thus, we look forward to many more years of service to our affiliated contractors, manufacturers, participants, and the citizens of New York City and its greater environs.