History to Now

Local 22 is one of 2,376 local electrical unions across the United States. We’ve been Omaha's Electrical Construction Union since 1892. The local union is designed to provide assistance and a voice for the local electrical worker in all matters and issues that affect their lives. Matters like finding work, providing answers on health and financial benefits, or gaining access to new or additional training. And while it’s true that each local union receives support from their International Office in the form of guidance, advice, technical and legal help, Local 22 exists independently and governs our own organization.

The bottom line is this: Local 22 is the people in it, and the people are the union.

Our Preamble states it clearly:

A Brief History Of Our Union

The nucleus of our Brotherhood formed in 1890 in St. Louis, Missouri. The group was chartered as the Electrical Wiremen and Linemen’s Union, No. 5221, of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). On November 21, 1891 the first convention was called in St. Louis with ten delegates representing 286 members. One of the outcomes of this first meeting was the creation of the Preamble printed above, and the name of the organization – National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers – was chosen. Even our emblem, the hand grasping the lighting bolt, was established at this first convention.

1899	–	At the Sixth Convention, the name of the union was changed to what it is today: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
1919	-	Council on Industrial Relations (CIR) is established.
1920	-	After several moves the IBEW headquarters is relocated permanently to Washington, D.C.
1927	-	At the 19th National Convention, the IBEW Pension Plan was established.
1929	-	Last convention held for 12 years due to the Great Depression.
1941	-	The Golden Jubilee year of the founding of our Brotherhood and the 21st National Convention held in St. Louis, where it all began.  869 local unions and nearly 200,000 members were represented.
1941	-	The National Apprenticeship Standards for the Electrical Construction Industry were established.
1947	-	The National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee was established.
1954	-	The National Convention in Chicago boasts 3,138 delegates representing a membership of 625,000.
1974	-	Membership reaches more than one million members.
1991	-	34th National Convention celebrates the 100-year milestone of our Brotherhood
2001	-	36th National Convention held in San Francisco, CA

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