IBEW Local Union 163’s Mission Statement

Representation

To organize all workers in the entire electrical industry in the U.S. and Canada, including all those in public and electrical manufacturing, into Local Unions.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 163 is northeastern Pennsylvania’s leading labor organization within the electrical construction industry.

Each day, Local 163 lives up to our International Organizing Statement. Organizing is a goal empowered to every member. We strive to represent the unrepresented workers and raise them to a new standard of living, while honing their skills to provide the very best electricians for all clients.

Local 163 will soon celebrate our 125th anniversary of serving Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our long standing traditions will help forge the future of our dynamically changing industry. There is absolutely no doubt that the IBEW sets the industry standard for today’s electrician.

To settle all disputes between employers and employees by arbitration, if possible.

Every day, Local 163 and our signatory contractors work together to provide the best service to each client. Our Collective Bargaining Agreement guarantees both members and contractors agreed upon rights in order to provide the world’s finest electricians and a fair standard of living.

Craftsmanship

To promote reasonable methods of work.

The IBEW is the industry leader for safe and reliable work. Our contracts guarantee each and every client receives the absolute best quality and production. Every IBEW Local 163 electrician lives up to the highest industry standards of production and safety. This professionalism allows our members to maintain an excellent standard of living for their families.

Brotherhood and Solidarity

To cultivate feelings of friendship among those of our industry.

The word brotherhood lies within our title. There is no stronger bond than our membership. Local 163 members live up to this creed through our numerous internal activities, Benevolent Association, Retiree’s Club and community outreach and service programs. Local 163 is a family who develops all new apprentices into the industry as the workers, teachers, estimators, supervisors and contractors of tomorrow.

To assist each other in sickness or distress.

IBEW Local 163 has a Hardship Benefit fund for any member who is ill or injured. Furthermore, we have a Union Electricians Benevolent Association, which was created specifically by our membership to help those members in need. This brotherhood strengthens our membership and empowers us to help each and every individual.

Security

To secure employment.

IBEW Local 163 electricians are the industry standard for northeastern Pennsylvania. Our superior on the job performance for all clients allows the Local to be the dominant force in today’s market, as we provide the highest skilled, best trained, most productive and safest workers. Combine that with positive, goal-oriented attitudes and fair and reasonable wages, and our electricians are the best investment you can make.

To seek security for the individual.

Local 163 members enjoy great benefits, which have been negotiated through Collective Bargaining Agreements for over 100 years. Security for the individual also translates to the jobsite. Our contractors are the industry leaders with regards to safety training and implementation. Local 163’s commitment to our members and our partners is second to none. We provide the safest and most professional workforce to each client, ensuring a successful project.

Quality of Life

To reduce the hours of daily labor.

Our work hours are negotiated in our CBA. They are agreed upon by our members and contractors in order to meet industry requirements. It is in our International “Code of Excellence” that each IBEW member provides a full eight hours of work for eight hours of pay. Coupled with a superior skill set, and this simple code allows our members to enjoy standardized work days and set overtime.

To seek a higher standard of living.

Our standard of living is negotiated between our members and contractors. This allows our members to lead a comfortable life while our contractors stay competitive in today’s market. Local 163’s continuing dominance in the market allows our members to maintain a high standard of living while helping our contractors succeed.

To secure adequate pay for our work.

The wages and benefits earned by Local 163 members are contractually agreed upon items, meaning each member has a say in the process through their vote. Our members enjoy an excellent standard of living with family sustaining wages, a great healthcare program, excellent dental and vision coverage, a hardship benefit, pensions and an annuity.

You have likely heard the phrase, “you get what you pay for.” The members of Local 163are a perfect example of that phrase. Would you hire the cheapest babysitter for your children? How about the cheapest surgeon for a major operation? You likely answered no because you choose peace of mind and trust, which only comes from buying the best. In the electrical construction industry, the absolute best is IBEW Local 163.

And by legal and proper means to elevate the moral, intellectual and social conditions of our members, their families and dependents, in the interest of a higher standard of citizenship.

This is a creed that every member of Local 163 lives by.

Local 163 and its members believe in the philosophy “lead by example.” Everyday our members practice this simple philosophy, which is conveyed through our community service programs, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, membership donations and volunteering time to many special area projects. IBEW Local 163 proudly gives back each and every day to our community. It is our local community that will produce future IBEW Local 163 electricians.

The mission of IBEW Local Union 163 is the same as it was in 1901: To provide the most skilled and productive workforce in the world, while ensuring the safety, rights and benefits of our membership.

It is a statement we live by every day. Our greatest investment is our membership who will continue to shape the future of our industry. Together, partnering with our contractors, we will continue to define the industry standards providing the very best services for our clients for the next 100 years.