local3ibew.org | Issue no. 201 | July 7, 2025

A Message from Business Manager Chris Erikson

Disappointed in the result of the NYC Democratic primary election for mayor, to say the least. Mamdani won after all of the ranked choice votes were counted, and he will be the Democratic candidate for mayor in the November general election. If – and there is still lots of uncertainty – Adams, Cuomo, and Sliwa remain in the race, then their votes will probably be split and Mamdani could win. If one of those three went head-to-head against Mamdani and got the votes that would have gone to the others from all who oppose a democratic socialist running the city, then Mamdani possibly loses. Egos may overrule that possibility, but we’ll see. There is a lot of time until the general election. I would urge you to research the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). While some of their agenda lines up with the Trade Union movement, most of it doesn’t. If the objectives of the DSA are the agenda of someone who could be the next mayor of NYC, I would be very concerned. The Democratic Party is not blameless, but socialism is not the answer. Unions and Organized Labor have been standing up for workers and the working class for 150 years and will continue to do so without socialists co-opting our role. I’ll remind you that only a few years ago, the DSA in New York City put out a memo laying out a plan to infiltrate and take over a number of NYC unions, and Local 3 was one of them. That will never happen to our Union, and it shouldn’t happen to our city either.

On a lighter note, I’m happy to report that four Local 3 journeymen will be heading offshore this week to start the cabling for the Empire Wind project. The future is here. As the work opportunity that we have been planning for a long time starts, the IBEW will make its mark. Good luck to those brothers. We are all proud of you and we know you’re going to do a great job representing all of us.

Let’s all KEEP THE UNION STRONG, brothers and sisters.

“J” Division Seeking Foundation Installers and Mechanics

Due to an upcoming increase in work opportunities, the “J” Division is seeking individuals who are interested in becoming members of Local 3 and working in the “J” Division as Foundation Installers. Foundation installers, better known in the industry as diggers, perform labor-intensive tasks that involve the use of 90-pound jack hammers and shovels to excavate for the NYC DOT, Street Lighting, and Traffic work that union signatory contractors execute throughout the five boroughs of New York City. This position will require a Class B CDL and the ability to pass a drug test.

There is also the need for Truck Mechanics with Diesel and Hydraulic skills.

If you know someone who may be interested in either of these positions, please have them contact the “J” Division at (718) 591-4000 ext. 430 for more information.

Electrical Testing Class Prepares Members for NETA Certification

On June 25th at the Electrical Industry Training Center, the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund of the Electrical Industry (E&C) graduated the first class in its new Electrical Testing curriculum.

The updated curriculum – the first of its kind anywhere in the United States – was designed to align with industry standards such as those published by NETA (the InterNational Electrical Testing Association) and to prepare Local 3 members to pass the technician certification exams administered by standards organizations such as NETA and NICET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies). The class lasts one year and covers safety, electrical theory, test instruments, codes and standards, component testing, print reading, systems and commissioning, and related topics.

Participants were required to complete prerequisite classes in CPR with AED, First Aid, and NFPA 70E prior to starting the Electrical Testing class. Any union member interested in joining the next class should contact the E&C by visiting www.jibei.org or calling (718) 591-2000 ext. 1500.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E Train-the-Trainer Course

In June, the JIB Safety Department hosted its third National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E train-the-trainer course at the Electrical Industry Training Center in Long Island City, Queens. Members of Local 3 and the IBEW from upstate New York to California took the preeminent electrical safety training course run by the Electrical Training Alliance (ETA). This class was taught by the ETA’s Director of Code and Safety Curriculum and Training, Palmer Hickman.

The three-day course, titled “Electrical Safety Related Work Practices,” covers many areas such as Electrical Safety Culture, Electrical Hazard Awareness, and Control of Hazardous Energy. It is one of the prerequisites to become a lockout/tagout trainer for the Safety Department at the Joint Industry Board (JIB).

“Offshore Currents” Wind Energy Training Returns

Presented by the Educational & Cultural Trust Fund of the Electrical Industry, “Offshore Currents: Electricians Wiring the Future of Wind Energy” is returning this month. This training for “A” journeypersons consists of two mandatory parts: first, an on-demand online session that will be available starting July 14th, and second, an in-person session on either July 29th or July 30th at the Electrical Industry Training Center in Long Island City, Queens. Both parts (online and in person) must be completed before a certificate is awarded. If you already completed this training in March 2025, you don’t need to attend again.

Please call the Educational & Cultural Trust Fund at (718) 591-2000 ext. 1500 to register by Friday, July 11th.

The following is an announcement from the Joint Industry Board (JIB) Safety Department:

The expiration date of your Site Safety Training (SST) certification is stamped on the front of your SST card. Letters with renewal training information are mailed from the JIB four (4) months prior to the expiration date. Please anticipate receiving mail from the JIB and allow for sufficient time to comply with these training requirements.

Become a mentor! Today more than ever, it is important that our new members get the best training, guidance, and information available in order to navigate through their apprenticeships and careers in the electrical industry. If interested, contact the Local 3 Mentorship Committee at mentorshipcommittee.lu3@gmail.com.

Local Union No. 3, IBEW and the Joint Industry Board of the Electric Industry (JIBEI) both believe in the power of communications to inform our members and plan participants about vital benefits, programs, and news updates. Nothing is more important to us than your health and well-being.

Similar to Local 3’s Rank & File e-newsletter, the Joint Industry Board offers general and plan/personal information via email and text message. Sign up at signup.jibei.org to stay connected. Visit jibei.org for online forms and more information on employment, medical coverage, education, and training plans and services.

The Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) of Local 3, IBEW proudly represented union electricians in the 2025 NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 29th. Happy Pride Month, everyone! 🌈 @nyewmcpride

Keep on tagging @lu3ibew in posts and stories on Instagram and Facebook to share updates for and by the best electricians in the world!

On our website, some content will be on a special members only site. This will include back issues of The Union World and Political Action items. The local will no longer be sending the login information through the mail. Instead, we will be sending it out through the Rank & File. Login details are below:

Username: lu3member

Password: uworld3

Google Data Breach Update: As you may know, Local 3 uses the same password (lu3member, uworld3) for all members to log into our website. Some members are getting alerts from Google that the password is found in a data breach. Please ignore this warning since we are using a shared password and your personal information will not be affected by using the shared password.

●    General Membership Meeting - Thursday, July 10, 5:00 p.m. Electric Industry Center Auditorium, 67-35 Parsons Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11365.

●    “Offshore Currents” Wind Energy Training - Monday, July 14 (online) and July 29/July 30 (in person). Electrical Industry Training Center, 48-40 34th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101. Register by Friday, July 11.

●    Annual Beach BBQ - Saturday, July 26, 12:00-6:00 p.m. Lido Beach, NY 11561. Co-hosted by the Allied Club and the Motorcycle Club.

●    Harry Strack Family Picnic & Spike It! for Autism Volleyball Tournament - Sunday, August 3, 12:00 p.m. Lido Beach, NY 11561. Hosted by the Sportsmen’s Club.