Local 212 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers exists to advance the interests of the professional electricians in the Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana tri-state region. We support electricians through a variety of programs, including journeyman training, apprenticeship, operating a hiring hall, lobbying, pensions, health care, disability insurance, a death benefit and supplemental unemployment insurance programs. Local 212 is committed to the organization of all electricians in the tri-state so that we can improve the quality of life for those who work in the electrical industry. This is a long-term commitment--Local 212 will be 100 years old in November, 2001. We also plan to be around for the next 100 years. Individual electrical contractors come and go--electrical contracting is a tough business--but Local 212 will be here to serve the needs of Cincinnati area electricians for years to come. Electrical construction is a series of temporary jobs. Electricians start out in the mud, rough in the building shell, and install the finish work. Then the electrician goes on to begin another job. Local 212's multi-employer collective bargaining agreements allow the electrician to convert this series of temporary jobs into a life-long career. The multi-employer collective bargaining agreements standardize wages, pension, supplemental unemployment, vacation, and disability programs throughout the unionized electrical industry. Workers carry the benefit program from contractor to contractor, eliminating many of the problems associated with vesting for pension, and continuing health insurance. Local 212 members who work under the collective bargaining agreement know what the wages will be--changing contractors no longer forces electricians to re-negotiate wages and benefits as it does in the "merit shop" sector. The multi-employer agreements also benefit the contractor in a number of ways. The contractor is assured of a ready supply of skilled electricians. The five-year apprenticeship program standardizes training--the contractor knows what to expect of the workforce. The industry-wide benefit programs, such as pension, health and disability insurance, annuity, supplemental unemployment and vacation funds, reduce the demand on the contractor's office staff and the expense of managing benefits.
Electricians who pass the journeyman wireman test are also free to travel to other locals of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Some travel for fun, others just to pay the bills, but the pension, annuity and health insurance coverage are reciprocal throughout most of the United States.
Local 212 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers maintains an office at 1216 East Macmillan Street in Cincinnati Ohio. (45206) The office is normally open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are also open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Our main telephone number is 559-0200.
Local 212 represents electricians, data and communication technicians and electrical inspectors. If you are an electrician and are interested in joining a good organization of decent, hardworking electricians to advance the interests of ALL electricians, please give our organizing staff a call. They will bring you up to date on current events and help you with the process of joining the IBEW. If you haven't talked with a Local 212 organizer recently, you owe it to yourself to call Wayne, matt or Steve and find out what's new. Call the organizing office at 751-1254.
Local 212 officers are democratically elected by the members every three years. Our current officers and staff, elected in June, 1999 are:
Steve Wessels, president
Ted Babel, vice-president
Tony Wartman, recording secretary
Kurt Kube, treasurer
Executive Board:
Jim Cole,
Paul Hertzenberg,
Wayne Meyer.
Joseph Small
Bob Stapleton
Wayne Whalen
Examining Board:
Jerry Werkowitz,
Ed Carroll,
Steve Hill
Staff:
Frank W. Butler, business manager
Danny Kenneweg, referral agent
Bill Cunningham, assistant business manager
Matt Kolbinsky, organizer
Wayne Whalen, organizer
Steve Jaeger, organizer
Local 212 holds union meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month (only the first Tuesday in June, July and August). members are encouraged to attend union meetings to find out what is going on in the industry.
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