Q: How does Local 290’s economic package compare to other UA locals nationally?
A: Excluding sprinklerfitter, refrigeration, and pipeline locals, UA 290’s economic package is in the top 20% of UA locals nationally.
Q: What did the Portland Electricians (IBEW Local 48) receive as their last raise?
A: $0.80 or 1.5% for 2011.
This would equate to a raise of $0.84 for UA 290.
Q: What are the historical averages for Portland Electricians’ raises?
A: The 5 year average raise for IBEW 48 is $1.61 or 3.33%
The 10 year average raise for IBEW 48 is $1.47 or 3.37%.
Q: It seems like we have fewer people working and we are getting smaller raises each year. Is this true?
A: Yes. Please see the graph below that calculates the trends based on the reduction in UA 290 man-hours and the bias toward smaller raises each year.
- This graph shows that employment is falling faster than wage increases.
- The trend line for a 2011 wage increase points to $1.30 increase based on this historical data.
Q: It seems like the UA Members in other locals all have contracts where they make more money?
A: Some do, most don’t, and the grass always seems greener somewhere else.
All 350 of the UA locals serve different markets and have unique language and wage structures. Please see the following slides that highlight these differences and ultimately prove that you shouldn’t cherry pick language and wages from other locals.
Instead, you should negotiate a contract based on the market in your jurisdiction and not what someone did or didn’t get up the road.
