Unions come in all shapes and sizes. Most have the best interests of their members at heart, but beyond that there are often significant differences in philosophy and approach.

The IBEW is one of the most progressive-minded unions in the country. It is a reputation we are proud of. It is based first on doing what’s best for our members and secondly on doing what's best for our signatory employers.

Today, we are motivated by the understanding that we are in this together, and that the employer needs to be successful for us to benefit, so we look for solutions that are win-win. IBEW’s Code of Excellence is an example of this. The Code is an initiative by the union to do every job properly, professionally on time and on budget, and it lays out the responsibilities members and employers must assume in order to meet this professional standard.  

Most of Local 502’s members have had Code of Excellence Training and firmly support its guiding principals, and our union’s track record is further evidence of our win-win focus:

• In 82 years of existence we have only been on strike twice the last time being over 40 years ago.
• We and the Electrical Contractors Association of New Brunswick co-operated to develop an Employee Assistance Plan, the only one of its kind in the New Brunswick Construction Trades.
• We and the ECANB co-operated to develop our Training Trust Fund, which provides both professional and personal development training opportunities for members, free of charge.

We have what we feel is an excellent working relationship with our employers, but this is not to say we don’t have our disagreements. But when we do, we have processes in place to work them out in an environment of professional respect.  We fight hard for our members, but always at a professional not personal level.